STEVE Lloyd believes Monday’s derby success against Winsford completes what he rates as Barnton’s best week of the campaign.

A maximum points haul from three matches has propelled them from the North West Counties League Premier Division’s relegation zone.

He said: “It was massively important to win.

“We’ll enjoy it, but I hope we can also use it as a springboard for the rest of the season.

“We’ve found out the hard way that there are no easy games at this level, but I can see that we’re learning every time we play.”

The Villagers survived a rally by Blues, who scored twice in the final quarter of an hour.

However the hosts held on to follow up victories against AFC Liverpool and Congleton in the past 10 days.

Jonathan Jones fired high into the net when a corner was cleared to him on the edge of the penalty area in the second minute.

Chris Smith ought to have doubled Barnton’s lead, only to shoot wide, while Winsford’s best attempts were from distance by Harry Brazel and Scott Taylor.

A second goal arrived on 53 minutes when Jones teed up Smith, and this time he found the bottom corner.

It was 3-0 after an hour when Smith added his second.

Jordan Johnson’s introduction as a substitute stirred Blues, and he earned a penalty – converted confidently by Kyle Riley – that gave them hope of a recovery.

They will have felt more optimistic when Johnson coolly lobbed goalkeeper Matthew Conkie after latching onto a long clearance.

However Barnton resisted their attempts to conjure a leveller.

Lloyd added: “It was a real test of our togetherness to get over the line, but every player deserves credit for stepping up to the task in those final 10 minutes.”

Barnton | Conkie (GK), Richards, Clayton, McKay, Shaun Alcock, James McShane, Jones, Houghton, Smith, Jason McShane, Crofts (Vaughan 66) Subs not used Cross (GK), Bandell, Malone, Hughes Goals Jones 2, Smith 51, 58  Booked Conkie

Winsford | Langley (GK), Bayley, Duckworth, Parr (Johnson 70), Jenyons, Tierney, Taylor, Stott (Whitehead 55), Riley, Brazel, Hatton (Collins 66) Subs not used: Egan, Osborne (GK) Goals Riley 75 (penalty), Johnson 76 Booked Brazel

Referee Dale Baines

Attendance 87