IT was high fives all round for Barnton last night.

By putting five goals past Abbey Hulton United in a thrilling display at Townfield, the Villagers extended their unbeaten run to five matches either side of the new year in the North West Counties League First Division South.

Despite not having played for 17 days and the absence of manager Liam Page due to Covid, they flew out of the traps with two goals in three minutes midway through the first half, with Matthew Scoullar and Adam Collins on target.

Zak Hill halved the deficit for the visitors just before half-time and while Amir Hajri restored the two-goal cushion just after the hour mark, that too was short-lived as Josh Bristow netted to keep Abbey Hulton in the game.

That was as good as it got for them, however, as Barnton sealed the points thanks to Christopher Hunt's strike and an injury-time penalty from Liam Kennington.

The Villagers travel to play-off chasing Wythenshawe Amateurs on Saturday.