Barnoldswick Town 2 Alsager Town 1

STRIKER John Beckwith scored twice as Barnoldswick Town lifted themselves out of the Premier Division relegation positions with a hard-earned win.

The continued absence of injured goalkeeper Chris Taylor meant that Scott Gardner was the fourth keeper to be used by the home side in as many matches.

Michael Blundell fired an early shot wide for the visitors before Mark Threlfall cut inside the visitors penalty area and shot straight at the keeper Steve Dryden.

Kieron Lee, who was making his first start in four games, went on a mazy run down the Alsager right before cutting the ball back to Joel Melia who shot just wide.

Town took the lead after 18 minutes when a corner won on the Alsager right was only half cleared and Paul Walker crossed for Beckwith to turn the ball home from the edge of the six-yard area.

The lead only lasted a minute as a Town clearance cannoned off an Alsager forward across the penalty area to Jonathon Kegouh turned it into the net.

Kieran Lee forced Dryden to make a good save from a shot from the edge of the penalty area while Carl Ellerton had to make a timely interception inside the Town six yard area as Boris Melungui looked likely to score.

Both sides had chances in the closing stages of the first half. A great ball over the top of the Alsager defence from Walker was latched onto by Beckwith whose shot was well saved.

At the other end, Gardner had to be alert to push a Jake Chadwick shot over his crossbar.

The dangerous Blundell was substituted three minutes into the second half through injury Danny Griggs coming on. Town continued to press Harry Thompson winning two corners in succession.

With the pressure building there were two Alsager bookings in as many minutes, Jordan Elcock (58min) and Peter Heler (60min) both being shown yellow cards. There were further cautions for Alsager's Jonathon Kegouh (87min) and the Town duo of Harry Thompson and Lee.

The decisive goal came in the 83rd minute. A cross from the Alsager left found Beckwith near the penalty spot and he quickly cracked the ball into the bottom right corner past the desperate dive of Dryden.