Nostell MW 0 Thackley 2

THACKLEY returned from celler dwellers Nostell with all three points, which eased their own fears of being dragged into a relegation dogfight in the Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division.

The Dennyboys may still be in the lower reaches of the table but they have a healthy points advantage over the bottom two.

It took them a while to break down the rock-bottom side but Thackley stuck to their task.

The home keeper had been influential in ensuring Nostell were still in the game at the interval, denying Mike Garrod and Tom Dugdale with good saves.

It was Garrod who eventually gave the visitors the lead. He latched onto a through ball in the 66th minute and slotted home.

Thackley doubled their lead in stoppage time when Ryan Farrell netted from distance.

Dennyboys spokesman Mick Lodge said: “It was very cold but there wasn’t a problem with the pitch. Nostell had put a lot of work into getting the game on and full credit to them for that.

“I thought we dominated the game without really creating too many chances and, although it took us a long time to get the goals, it was a deserved win.

"Mike took his chance well but Ryan’s goal was an absolute beauty,. He hit it sweet as a nut from 30 or 35 yards and it flew in.

“It’s very pleasing to get back to winning ways and the points were much needed. Our keeper Ed Hall made one good save from a free-kick but he wasn’t troubled much other than that.”