IMPROVING Winnington Park ran promotion-hopefuls Glossop closer than was expected.

Indeed the visitors trailed 19-17 when the game entered its final quarter but an opportunist's try saw the hosts pull clear on the scoreboard.

A kick for touch bounced in front of a Park man before wing Dave Marchlewski, on his return after a lengthy injury lay-off, caught it and ran to the line.

Tom Robbie added the extras.

Park, victors in their previous three Lancs/Cheshire Division One matches, made the trip depleted by absences through injury and unavailability.

Their pack was lighter than more powerful opponents and Jake Gibson dotted down for Glossop inside five minutes.

Tom Dearnaley converted.

He was later shown a yellow card for his part in a fracas close to Winnington's line but the home team scored next when a strong carry from Joe Dearnaley culminated with an off-load to a supporting Sam Wilkinson who cantered between the posts.

A successful conversion left Park 14-0 adrift.

Matt Farr's men remained patient though and Jack Williams reduced their arrears after the ball had been worked from one side of the pitch to the other following a scrum in the corner.

They might have reduced a gap further before half-time when Harry Stubbs' forward charge was halted and Lee Allmark kicked on the loose ball.

However he could not touch down.

Tom Robbie squeezed over for Glossop's third try shortly after the restart to make it 19-5.

Winnington rallied, forcing their opponents to concede penalties and when captain Dave Cross was tackled from an offside position while trying to take one quickly, the referee promptly awarded a penalty-try.

The men from Burrows Hill enjoyed their best spell of the contest and, following a move involving both forwards and backs, Williams claimed his second try of the afternoon.

Glossop got the break they needed when Marchlewski chased after his own kick before gathering to score.

Robbie converted before slotting a penalty for the hosts in the closing stages.

A testing period for Park continues when they travel to leaders Altrincham Kersal on Saturday.

Park | Underdown, Evans, Eaves, Hallworth, Snowden, Danny Williams, Dave Cross, Stubbs, Matt Cross, Eastwood, Brookes, Allmark, Pugh, Ryan Williams, Jack Williams Replacements Owen, Flanagan Tries Jack Williams (2)