WINNINGTON Park felt aggrieved they were denied a penalty try that would have earned for them a third successive victory.

Jack Williams’ dash to the line was halted by an opponent when he seemed certain to score, but the referee did not judge the intervention worthy of a penalty try.

Roger Pickering’s side, weakened by Ian Moriarty’s absence through illness, were condemned to a fifth away defeat of the campaign as a result.

“We should still have been good enough to win,” said Park’s head coach.

“It’s not that we performed badly, but we just never quite reached a tempo that would have made the difference.”

Improving Heaton Moor, victors now in four of their past five games in South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two, used their superior power at the scrum against a smaller visiting pack.

Will Pacey rumbled over out wide to put the hosts in front.

They could not convert, and missed a penalty kick too before Jack Williams landed a three-pointer for Winnington.

The contest was largely played out in midfield for the half’s remainder, although both teams created opportunities to increase their tally.

That pattern did not change in the second period, until Moor’s Mark Williams slotted a penalty from in front of the posts to make it 8-3.

Park replied instantly, and a deftly-executed kick by Jack Williams invited Chris Sheppard to take part in a foot-race to the line.

The wing won, touching down before the ball went dead.

Williams could not add the extras though.

Meanwhile Moor continued to press during the closing stages, forcing a turnover with time running out.

The ball was sent swiftly down the line for wide man Perkins Joseph, who held off the challenge of covering defenders to cross the whitewash in the corner.

Park | Eaves, Evans, Marshall, Brown, Dave Cross, Treacy, Neary, Danny Williams, Pugh, Jack Williams, Lamb, Lewis Pickering, Owen, Sheppard, Allmark Replacements Glendinning, Phillips Try Sheppard Pen Jack Williams