AFTER picking themselves up the previous week, Park stumbled again.

However head coach Roger Pickering believes the result did not reflect the distance between the teams on a sodden pitch.

He said: “We were dogged in the first half, but just couldn’t keep that going in atrocious conditions.

“Our decision-making must improve, and once it does we’ll have platform on which to express ourselves the way we know we can.”

The hosts scored first from a penalty, but Winnington responded by applying pressure.

They were rewarded as well when in-form prop Shaun Underdown forced a way over the line after his fellow forwards had driven back Glossop following a lineout.

A second three-pointer for the home team, from in front of Park’s posts, made it 6-5.

However Fraser Lindsay kicked well from the restart, the catalyst for a penalty award in his team’s favour.

And Park’s vice-captain converted from a wide position on the right to edge the visitors ahead.

But the men from Burrows Hill, enjoying their best spell of the contest, could not add to their points tally.

They were resilient in defence at the other end, keeping at bay a more powerful pack on a heavy surface.

A monumental effort was required to protect a narrow 8-6 lead, with the visitors’ task made harder by falling rain forming puddles of standing water.

It proved too big an ask after Glossop started a recovery by converting another penalty.

Winnington toiled to reply, but when they did conjure an opportunity it did not yield further points.

Pickering added: “Nick Brown stepped in at short notice and performed well when he was on the field.

“[Skipper] Harry Stubbs led from the front too.

“We were forced to make a number of changes because lads had to work or were struggling with an injury, but that isn’t an excuse as we have faith in the ability of all our senior players.”

Park Nick Brown, Josh Brown, Underdown, Taylor, Gately, Snasdell, Danny Williams, Stubbs, Heptinstall, Lindsay, Lamb, Lewis Pickering, Sheppard, Jarrod Pickering, Allmark Replacements Dave Cross, Evans, Jones Try Underdown Pen Lindsay