A William Riding brace ensured promotion hopefuls Wythenshawe Town came away with a deserved 3-1 victory against Barnoldswick Town on Saturday.

The results leaves Barlick in 16th place, while their opponents on Saturday went level on points with Bury who occupy top spot in the division.

In a first half mainly controlled by the hosts, they would soon be rewarded for their bright start on the 25th minute mark.

Riding sensed an opportunity after the home side won a free-kick on the edge of the Barnoldswick penalty area, and he was able to step up and place a shot through the wall and into the near post to score the first of his two efforts.

Wythenshawe doubled their lead five minutes before the break and it was another well taken finish by Riding, with this one perhaps the best of both strikes.

He collected the ball on the edge of the box before unleashing a ferocious effort beyond the reach of Callum Jakovlevs in Barlick’s goal to send his side into the break with a two-goal advantage.

The visitors upped the ante in the second half and were fully rewarded for their endeavour and never say die attitude with ten minutes to go of the contest.

Substitute Jack Foster headed home an Andy Hill cross to halve the deficit.

Despite the late scare, it would be the hosts who went on to extend their lead once again in stoppage time, forward Tom Bentham thrashing the ball home after some pinball in the penalty area to seal a 3-1 win for the home team.

Barnoldswick are next in action tonight when they travel to Bury, before returning home on Saturday to take on Longridge Town.