Barnoldswick Town looked good for a surprise win at Prestwich Heys in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division on Saturday, only to run out of puff in the second half.

The visitors, who began the day in 12th place, were good value for their 1-0 lead at the break, but Prestwich showed why they are deserving of their current spot in the play-offs, roaring back to claim a 3-1 home win.

Jack Foster had an early shot deflected wide for Barlick and they came even closer soon after when Ben Ashton had an effort cleared off the line.

Foster’s heavy touch then denied him a glorious one-on-one chance, before visiting keeper Callum Jakovlevs made a brilliant save following a Heys counter-attack.

It was Barnoldswick who took the lead just after the half-hour mark, as Gareth Hill turned home a superb cross from George Chmiel.

A fine block by McCauley Smith denied Prestwich an instant equaliser, while Hill almost grabbed his and Barlick’s second goal on the stroke of half-time, only to see Heys keeper Russell Saunders pull off a good save.

Ashton flashed a shot over the bar right at the start of the second half, before Smith was forced into heading a Prestwich effort off the line.

That reprieve for Barlick was only temporary however, as Matt Davies turned home from close range following Aaron Chalmers’ low ball across goal.

Chmiel then had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty after going down in the area, but the referee was unmoved.

Instead, Prestwich took the lead when a deep corner was headed home by Chalmers at the back post.

Hill could only put a late header straight at Saunders and the hosts went straight up to the other end and finished the game.

A superb run and pass by substitute Ryley Smith released the prolific Rio Wilson-Heyes, and he made no mistake one-on-one with Jakovlevs.

Jakovlevs made a great save at the death to stop Prestwich netting a fourth, while Jacob Holgate was inches away from grabbing a consolation goal, only for Saunders to just beat him to the ball.

Barnoldswick are back in action tomorrow night, when they travel to fellow mid-table side AFC Liverpool.

A victory would take Barlick back above Charnock Richard, who overtook them in the table at the weekend.

There has been little to choose between the pair in the league this season and that could be the case again on Saturday, February 17, when Barnoldwick travel to Charnock for their Macron Cup quarter-final clash.

The draw for the last eight of that competition was made over the weekend.