DAVE Short curled in a corner with seven minutes left to complete Winsford United’s comeback and secure for them a place at the next stage.

Blues will be greeted by a familiar face later this month at Ramsbottom United, where former boss Chris Willcock is the manager.

 

 

To get there they had to recover from the blow of falling behind shortly after the interval when Glenn Rule blasted in at the second attempt for the hosts after an initial header was smuggled off the line.

Sam Madeley thought he had restored parity five minutes later only for a linesman to spot he hand handled before finding the net.

Former Witton Albion attacker Karl Noon fired high and Matty Carlin’s header dropped inches wide as the Motormen - never previously eliminated at the extra preliminary round stage - sought to double their lead.

However Winsford drew level on 76 minutes when Madeley dispatched a shot in off an upright after substitute Remero Coley’s effort was deflected into his path.

Blues then took the lead as the clock ticked down, Short’s flag-kick from the left arcing over goalkeeper Kristofer Leigh’s head before dropping into the net.

There had been little to choose between the teams in the first-half.

Blues’ best opening was created by Nathan Cotterell’s dribble that took him past three defenders before teeing up Short who curled an effort narrowly over.

There was frustration for manager Lee Duckworth when debutant Adam Barlow succumbed to a foot injury before Noon had a goal chalked off for offside.