WITH time running out and the home team closing in on a landmark victory, Winnington Park launched one last attack.

Defiant minds urged tired legs to drive forward, and Danny Williams dived over the line to put down the ball.

Cameron Flanagan converted, and Matt Farr’s men celebrated a 20th successive league victory.

They did so knowing it might be one that clinched for them the South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two title.

Given they trailed 19-0 at the interval against opponents that hadn’t lost on their own pitch in two years, it’s easy to see why.

Park started slowly, and fell behind when their hosts cut a line through the centre of their defence to notch a first try.

The home team added to their tally with a second, also converted, shortly afterwards.

And the afternoon worsened when Lee Allmark was sent to the sin bin by the referee as punishment for a series of offside offences, and Aspull scored a third try before the break.

A yellow card for an opponent early in the second period was a lift for Winnington, who troubled the scorers for the first time when Shaun Underdown fed captain Dave Cross who ran to the whitewash.

Aspull continued to show ill-discipline, and they were reduced to 14 men after a member of their backs division punched full-back Chris Sheppard in front of the match official.

Park sensed an opportunity and Cameron Flanagan, back on the field after recovering from an injury, dotted down to make it 19-10.

He slotted a penalty with 20 minutes left to reduce the deficit further.

The visitors continued to make the running, although without a reward, and they suffered a blow when Ryan Williams was binned for a high tackle.

However they persisted, and Danny Williams delivered to complete a double over their Wigan-based hosts.

“We had a lot to do but I was confident the lads would hold their nerve despite finding themselves in an unfamiliar position,” reflected Farr.

His side sits four points clear of second-placed Liverpool Collegiate, who have played one more match, ahead of a home date with Marple on Saturday.

Park | Underdown, Snasdell, Eaves, Dave Cross, Snowden, Danny Williams, Treacy, Evans, Jack Williams, Flanagan, Brown, Ryan Williams, Allmark, Moran, Sheppard Replacements Matt Cross, Pugh, Knight, Burgess, Taylor Tries Dave Cross, Flanagan, Danny Williams Con Flanagan Pen Flanagan