WINSFORD United succumbed to goals at the end of each half in a 2-0 home loss to Congleton Town in Northern Premier League West.
A tight opening 15 minutes included David Short's long-range effort as the only attempt at goal.
Blues went close again with Dylan Chalice’s inviting cross into the six-yard box crying out for a Winsford striker to get on the end.
As the game approached the half, Winsford were denied a big claim for a penalty.
Congleton then caught Blues on the counter-attack with the striker's cross tapped home at the back post by Shakeel Jones-Griffiths to give the visitors the lead at the break.
The early stages of the second half saw Short put Daniel Kerr through on goal but he was unable to get his shot away, with the recovering defenders able to see out the danger.
In a game that lacked quality in the final third Blues' best chance of the game fell the way of Short.
An excellent ball over the top found Daniel Boden who fed Short on the edge of the box but on the stretch, the Blues striker couldn’t direct his effort on target.
In the dying minutes a superb save from Ryan Hamer denied Arron Johns from close range.
But Congleton secured a 2-0 victory in stoppage time with a second goal through Thomas Pope.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here