Alsager Town 2 Barnoldswick Town 0

Barnoldswick Town made the long trip down the M6 to relegation-threatened Alsager Town knowing that a win would seal the Cheshire team’s fate.

It was the home side who had the first real chance when the officials gave a dubious penalty after Chris Ridehalgh was adjudged to have handled when the ball appeared to have come of his chest.

Justice was done when Chris Taylor saved superbly down to his right.

Barlick’s first real chance came when Ellerton, playing out of position at right back, cut in and unleashed a 20-yard effort which went just over the bar.

Threlfall then had a header go narrowly over the bar from a Howell corner before Alsager took the lead.

Taylor mis-cued a clearance straight to Josh Lane who was left with the easiest of chances.

Barlick started applying tremendous amounts of pressure after the break and thought they had levelled when Howelll found the net with a left-foot shot.

Their joy was cut short when on of the referee’s assistants spotted a handball in the build up.

The visitors continued to push men forward and they were caught out on the break with two minutes to go.

Ellerton was caught out when a through ball deflected off of Jake McEneaney.

With the defender appealing for offside, Lane was left clean through on goal to make it 2-0.

Town had been made to pay dearly for two unfortunate errors.