WINSFORD played for half an hour with 10 men, but protected their lead to record a first win of the season against Runcorn on Monday.

Blues led 2-1 when central defender Michael Jones was sent off as a punishment for two cautions in quick succession.

But Town could not conjure a leveller.

Rob Byrne’s men had been the better side before the break, with Kyle Riley blazing high and Ben Seol shooting without power in the early exchanges.

At the other end, former Winsford attacker Stuart Wellstead fired over when twice he found himself in a promising position.

The hosts were gifted a lead on 27 minutes, when Runcorn’s Marvin Molyneux diverted Lee Duckworth’s free kick past his own goalkeeper.

When Riley’s attempt was blocked, then James Rothwell’s drive flashed narrowly over the bar, they were in control.

However they survived a scare when Paul Shanley spurned a glorious chance.

An equaliser did arrive shortly before the break, when Wellstead’s attempt looped out of the reach of custodian Ben Proctor.

Winsford’s net-minder tipped Shanley’s effort around a post after half time, then Riley restored Blues’ advantage with a smart finish after trading passes with Chris Lunn.

Wellstead was wasteful when an opportunity went his way from the restart, while Lunn went close after he was teed up by Jack Nicholls.

Jones’ dismissal followed, though Winsford prevented ex-player from having a clear sight of goal again.

They resisted for the remainder, putting behind them the memory of a mauling at Colne on the season’s opening day.

Blues | Proctor (GK), Baker (Webber 78), Duckworth, Eiselt, Mike Jones, Jennings, Rothwell, Seol (Wareing 87), Riley, Lunn (Jon Jones 76), Nicholls Subs not used Moston, Ashford Goals Molylneux 27 (own goal), Riley 51 Booked Jennings, Mike Jones Sent off Mike Jones

Runcorn | Lever (GK), Roberts, Bellew, Dykes (Josh Nicholson 89), Molyneux, McKillop, Shanley, Irlam, Wellstead, McShane, Martland (Ablewhite 80) Subs not used Houghton, McPolin, Joe Nicholson Goal Wellstead 43 Booked McShane

Referee John Baines

Attendance 120

Additional reporting by Bob Astles