West Didsbury & Chorlton 0 Barnoldswick Town 1

BARNOLDSWICK Town notched their second Premier Division away win in four days thanks to a second-half goal from Joe Gaughan.

The result took them up to third place in the fledgling table and was achieved with another solid team performance.

There was just change to the Town side following Wednesday's 2-0 win at Padiham, Carl Ellerton being replaced by Chris Ridehalgh.

Town's keeper Jordan Gidley was forced to make an early save from Lee Gavin before the visitors responded with a curling shot from Ben Gorman which went narrowly wide.

Scott Mason blazed a free kick over the bar while Gavin wasted another chance for Didsbury before Jake McEneaney and Gorman combined to create a chance for Mark Threlfall whose shot was blocked by keeper Paul Hughes.

As in previous matches, Town were the better side in the second half. Threlfall forced Hughes to save at the foot of a post while Ridehalgh got the ball stuck under his feet after rounding Hughes, and his attempted shot was cleared.

Gavin went close for Didsbury before Threlfall missed a good opportunity when he delayed too long after receiving a lob from Liam Blades.

Town's pressure brought its reward in the 64th minute. Threlfall's pass found Joe Gaughan on the edge of he penalty area. The powerful striker slipped past a defender before firing the ball into the net.

James Crorken had a goal disallowed for offside before Gidley was forced into a late save from Ashley Woods to preserve the three points.