by Peter Scherer

Mickleover will be looking for some Cup glory as we travel to Midlands Football League Stapenhill for tomorrow nights tie in the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

I want to put out a strong side to be respectful to our opponents and to the competition, and want to advance to the next round too

said Sports boss Gareth Holmes.

Our hosts are currently 14^th in the league and lost 1-2 away to FC Ingles last Saturday. They have had two wins from their last six games, 3-1 at Birstall and 6-0 at home to Graham Street Prims in the previous round of the Cup, where Oliver Roome scored a hattrick.

Kick off at Maple Grove is 7.45pm.

by Peter Scherer 

A lapse in defence early in the second half cost Mickleover dearly, when despite being on top for much of the game, they came away pointless again.

Starting line-up: 1- Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Ryan Wilson 5-Will Atkinson 6-Danny Benson 7-Jamie Soule 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Tyreace Palmer 10- Toby Smith 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Stuart Beavon, Curtis Weston, Marcus Barnes, Dylan Edwards, Edimond Oppong.

In the opening minutes Hickingbottom was on the end of a two-handed push over the touchline, but no free kick was given. But after three minutes FC United had their first shot when Le Fondre shot just wide of the left-hand post, before they earned a corner a minute later.

Six minutes in and Mickleover won a free kick, Soule then played Palmer through and his strike glanced off the left-hand post, before keeper O’Keefe dived on the ball.

It had been fairly even, but Benson had to head away a dangerous cross after eight minutes, before our hosts earned a sequence of corners. It was the second from Munro on the left that caused the damage, despite having nine players back, Paninkas rose above a flat-footed defence, before Halford connected to head passed Mersin, 0-1 after 11 minutes.

Hickingbottom had space so tried a distance shot just over the bar and the Fitzmartin led a break for FC United, but it ended with his tame shot straight at Mersin.

Hickingbottom had another shot blocked after 17 minutes from a Wilson cross and two minutes later Ferron found Soule in the box, he turned but his shot was deflected wide, before Smith got on the end of the following corner, but had his shot blocked too.

Sithole had shot wide for FC too after a long throw from Le Fondre, forced to shoot early as the pursuing defence closed in.

Soule played a telling ball through to Palmer after 21 minutes, but the two goal in two games striker mis-hit and it went agonisingly wide of the left-hand post.

Bennett then had a shot from outside the box, just over the bar, before FC got a break on the half-hour, one on one but Atkinson recovered to cut off his route.

Ferron then had a good run down the left, cutting inside as his route was blocked too, but finding Hickingbottom, whose shot was just wide of the left-hand post again.

Sports had to make an early change when Soule took a knock and was replaced by Barnes after 34 minutes. He was immediately in action and almost managed to put Palmer through on goal.

Mickleover earned a free kick two minutes later when Smith was fouled, but Wilson’s free kick was straight into the wall.

Buckley put another shot wide for FC United after 41 minutes and then Dales had a try, but his effort landed straight into O’Keefe’s waiting hands.

FC had another corner blocked with one minute on the clock, but Dales then fed Bennett from the left as he fired over from just outside the box.

But in time added on Mickleover were so unlucky not to grab the equaliser when Wilson’s corner came to Benson, whose shot struck the underneath of the bar with the keeper well beaten. In the scramble that followed shots reigned in on the FC United goal, but somehow they managed to hold on, with the half time whistle soon following as it remained 0-1.

Having taken a knock in the first half Dales was replaced by Edwards as the second kicked off.

FC United started very strongly and earned a corner just a minute into the half, after Ennis’s cross found Buckley, whose header hit the bar.

The pressure continued as the Sports defence was pegged back and looked extremely vulnerable and in disarray. 50 minutes gone and the defence was split wide open leaving Ennis with a clear run through the middle to make it 0-2.

Ferron then had wild shot over the bar from the restart and two minutes later his positive run from the left saw a cross into the box, missing the chasing Palmer by just inches.

The hosts were still looking dangerous on the breaks, but after Beavon had replaced Smith, FC had another shot just before the hour mark, which managed to clear the stand.

But into the last 30 minutes, Mickleover had regrouped and started the fightback, and it was the home defence now looking vulnerable.

66 Minutes and Atkinson put a cross in from the left, but it was too near the right-hand post and O’Keefe comfortably gathered it.

The pressure was continuous as Mickleover pushed everything forward, gaining reward in the 70^th minute when Wilson pulled one back in a crowded box, following a free kick and a throw, 1-2.

Both Hickingbottom and Bennett had been felled in challenges, but as they lay prone, the ref waved play on, until Atkinson put the ball out.

Edwards got his head to a cross in the 77^th minute but his effort ended in the side netting. But United then got a break, but Atkinson again came to the rescue.

Oppong and Weston had come on too and a precise cross field ball from Oppong found Edwards. His shot was blocked, as was Weston’s rebound attempt.

Mickleover were hitting everything bar the back of the net and Wilson went close again after 85 minutes, when his shot was tipped over by keeper O’Keefe.

Edwards then got on the end of another Ferron cross, but his shot was straight at the keeper. But Mersin had to come to the rescue for Sports, after Atkinson lost the ball, racing off his line to intercept.

Mickleover continued to pound the home defence in a positive final half hour, but the rhythm was broken when O’Keefe went down with alleged cramp, a familiar old pro tactic to break up the play.

In the six minutes added on, Beavon played the ball out to Ferron on the left, but his cross was too close to the keeper and time had all but run out.

Ennis had a final shot for our hosts high and wide, but despite the strong finish, it was not to be, and Mickleover hopes of a second consecutive win were over.

 

   

by Peter Scherer

After last Tuesday’s massive win over league leaders Macclesfield, it’s back on the road this Saturday as we visit FC United of Manchester.

Hopefully everyone came through unscathed from Tuesday’s game, plus Cieron Keane should be fit again too.

From promotion hopefuls of a few years ago to league strugglers, like Mickleover it’s been a difficult start for our hosts FC United of Manchester.

Currently 21st in the table, after finishing 14^th last season, they changed manager too at the end of September. Ex Warrington boss Mark Beesley is now in charge, but with just three wins so far and all away from home, they are still seeking their first three pointer at Broadhurst Park this season.

They drew 2-2 with Workington in their last home game, when their visitors equalised with a late penalty, sound familiar?

After last Saturday’s 0-1 defeat at Stockton, their first team squad played a Fenix Trophy match in Prague on Monday evening, beating Raptors 3-0.

The Fenix Trophy is an International tournament with 16 clubs from 14 countries and FC United now face either Brera Calcio in Italy or Fans United from Montenegro in the next round.

Like a number of clubs this season, including ourselves, FC United have had a large turnover of players. 

Ollie Byrne started the season as first choice keeper. An ex Manchester Utd youngster, he also played junior football at Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers, with a loan spell at Chorley in between.

After another loan at Bamber Bridge he moved to Stevenage and Atherton Collieries, before moving to the Welsh League, firstly with Connah’s Quay, who loaned him to Airbus UK.

The next stop was Altrincham, who loaned him to Cork City and he finished last season at Macclesfield, before joining our hosts pre-season, but is currently out injured. He has also played in the Europa League.

Holding the first-choice spot is newcomer Conor O’Keefe, signed from Ashton Utd last month. He started out at Macclesfield, and after a spell at Barwell went to Spain with Fuenlabrada, returning one year later to Loughborough University.

He then spent a year in Gibraltar with Europa Point and Bruno’s Magpies, before moving to Sweden with Pitea IF and Vasalunds IF. He was at Macclesfield too last season, before starting this season at Ashton.

The current second choice keeper is Charlie Casper, a Burnley Academy player on a 28 day loan, while their own Academy graduate Josh Brookes has also been in the squad.

Right Back Joe Ferguson started out at Blackburn Rovers. After a loan at Witton Albion he joined Matlock Town on his release, but a month later he moved to Marine, from where our hosts signed him last February.

Central midfielder Charlie Munro came from Southport in July last year. He started out at Ashton Athletic and has also played for Warrington.

Sometimes captain, centre back Dec Evans came from Southport too at the start of this season. A former Rochdale Junior he was at Chorley, before a four year stay at Mossley. He then joined Southport in 2022 but was loaned back to Mossley for a brief spell, before his move to our hosts.

Charlie Oliver is another centre back who has captained the side too and he also came from Southport in July last year. He started at Manchester City and was loaned to Fleetwood and Brentford, before joining Southport following his release in 2019.

Jan Palinkas is also a centre back. He started at Wythenshawe and came to our hosts in July 2022.

Defensive midfielder Hayden Lindley was another former Manchester City youngster, before moving onto Aston Villa. He was loaned to Newport County before his release, moving on to Golcar Utd. He soon moved on again to Darlington, where he completed last season, before moving to FC United pre-season.

Callum Gribbin was tipped as a future star in his Manchester Utd Academy days. He had a spell at Sheffield Utd too, before joining Barrow on his release. But injury has plagued the attacking midfielder, and after at spell at Radcliffe he joined FC United in August 2022, but is out long term with a knee injury.

Striker Adam La Fondre was another pre-season season, bringing in vast experience with over 500 appearances in the Championship, Leagues One and Two, scoring over 160 goals, plus a varied international career.

He started at Stockport County, before moving to Rochdale. Rotherham, Reading and Cardiff City were his next stops, before loans at Bolton, Wolves and Wigan, followed by a permanent move to Bolton in 2017.

Venturing overseas he spent 2 1/2 years in Australia with Sydney FC, including a loan to Mumbai City in the Indian Super League. After joining Hibernian on his UK return, he spent last season in Scotland.

Winger Jay Fitzmartin scored two of the goals in their win in Prague on Monday night. A former Bolton youngster, he was loaned to Stalybridge, before moving to Atherton Collieries following his release. He came to our hosts at the beginning of last season, but spent much of the year out injured.

Striker Jordan Buckley came from Warrington last November. He started off at FC United, before his first spell at Warrington.  After a year he moved for a short spell at Flint Town in the Welsh League, before returning to Warrington in July 2021.

Charlie Ennis is club captain and began his career with Stockport County. A striker, he was loaned to Salford City before a permanent move to Stalybridge. He spent time in the Welsh League too with Bala Town, before onto Droylsden, Witton Albion and Northwich Victoria.

After a spell back in Wales with Colwyn Bay, he was at Guiseley before returning to Stalybridge. Hednesford, and Curzon Ashton followed before returning to Stalybridge again. He then joined Southport after a second spell at Curzon Ashton and then spent just under a year with Ashton Utd, before joining our hosts in July 2019.

Matt Grivosti is another striker, but only arrived a month ago from Warrington. He had started his career at Warrington, before moving to Bolton Wanderers. Loans at Yeovil and Radcliffe followed, before he rejoined Warrington again at the start of last season.

Another striker, another recent signing and another former Warrington player, Gez Sithole began his career at Gillingham. He then moved to Bolton too, who loaned him to Altrincham and Chorley, before his started this season at Warrington following his release.

Fellow striker Jordan Preston has played in League One and Scotland and was another pre-season arrival. He started out with Blackburn Rovers and had loan spells at Ayr Utd before a permanent move to Guiseley. Gateshead, Halifax, Boston Utd and Spennymoor followed, before moving to Bradford Park Avenue at the start of last season. 

Right back or central midfielder Dec McLoughlin arrived from Skelmersdale at the beginning of last season. He has also played for Bootle and Ashton Utd.

Luca Navarro came from Radcliffe in October on loan. He is a free scoring midfielder, who started out at Hull City. After joining Bolton he was loaned to Bamber Bridge, before moving on to Buxton and Stafford Rangers. He joined Radcliffe in November 2021.

Left back Guy Hall was last years players player of the year and is now in his third season with the club.

Strikers Sam Dunstan and Dallas Omoruyi, midfielders Alfie Henstock and Charlie Cowin, defender Dominic Doyle and another keeper Flynn Proctor have also been in the squad.

Kick off at Broadhurst Park is 3pm and let’s see if we can continue where we left off on Tuesday night?

by Peter Scherer

Top of the table, unbeaten all season, the task ahead last night at the Don Amott Arena couldn’t be under estimated as Macclesfield came to visit.

But what followed was a night to remember and a reward for Gareth Holmes, Mick Galloway and the whole team.

Starting line-up: 1-Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Ryan Wilson 5-Danny Benson 6-Will Atkinson 7-Jamie Soule 8-Charlie Hickingbottom 9-Tyreace Palmer 10-Toby Smith 11-Andy Dales. Subs: Curtis Weston, Stuart Beavon, Marcus Barnes, Callum Moore, Dylan Edwards.

Macclesfield started with pace, determination and remarkable accuracy, forcing Mersin into a save with his feet after just two minutes. 

Two minutes later it was another shot and another save, before the rebound went over the bar, as the home defence continued to come under pressure.

Rooney had another wild strike well off target after seven minutes, and Macclesfield then won a corner, but that came to nought.

Mickleover had their first break 11 minutes in, but Palmer’s chase was deemed just offside. It was a turning point though, when having sustained the early barrage, Sports began to believe in themselves and started to break out to put pressure on our visitors.

Bennett sent in a cross from the right, which went just beyond the left hand post, but after 13 minutes Ferron and Dales combined on the left, Dales first shot was saved by Dearnley, but his parry fell to Palmer who neatly slotted it home, 1-0.

Palmer was almost through again two minutes later, but Dearnley just managed to intercept. Macclesfield then got a break and a cross from the right found Mellor, whose header was tipped over by Mersin.

It was real end to end stuff as Bennett triggered another move down the right, from which Dales shot was just wide of the left hand post.

But 21 minutes gone and it was almost number two, after Dales layed it off to Smith in front of goal. But the teenager’s shot was pulled slightly left  and it almost skimmed the post.

But Macclesfield were keen for an equaliser to and when Mersin slid out and missed the ball, Bennett came to the rescue and cleared it after a deflection.

24 minutes and the visitors hit the post with an Edmondson free kick, but Sports were not just holding on, they continued to push forward.

Dales was almost clear after 27 minutes, until Pemberton was yellow carded for hacking him down. Then Bennett and Dales combined again, before Dales sent a fizzing shot forcing Dearnley into a low save to his left.

Five more minutes and Dales had another shot blocked, with Smith’s rebound just wide. The Macclesfield defence were looking the more vulnerable and after Soule was fouled, Mickleover went close again after Wilson’s free kick bounced around, before Soule’s effort was cleared off the line, following Ferron’s initial shot.

Bennett was almost through again too as half time approached, but Dearnley just got their first after another positive build up down the left. 

Macclesfield finished the first half with a wasted free kick, but against al the odds the half time whistle blew with Mickleover still a goal ahead.

The second half got off to a pacey start again from the visitors, when after 50 minutes they earned a corner, from which Mersin pulled off a magnificent save onto the bar, from what looked a certain equaliser.

But it was Mickleover in the ascendance again, as Ferron charged through the middle. He was looking to pass when Dales shouted encouragement for the teenager to continue. He then found Soule on the edge of the box, who celebrated his 24^th birthday with a fine shot to make it 2-0.

Only three minutes later there was confusion in the home defence, when a possible back pass wasn’t cleared. Macclesfield intercepted and it wasn’t clear who got the last touch, but the goal was credited to sub Sean Etaluku and the pressure was now back on Mickleover with 30 minutes still to go. 2-1.

Macclesfield put a free kick wide and then Benson headed away another effort, but the pressure was on as the composure seemed to have returned to their play.

Wilson drove in a free kick after Smith was fouled and Soule found the side netting after 63 minutes, from a Palmer cross, before shooting straight at the keeper two minutes later.

Dales and Ferron made progress again on the left before an interception and then Mersin saved another Macclesfield effort with his feet.

Mickleover’s second change came on 68 minutes with Barnes on for Soule and he had a shot blocked by the keeper as he cut in from the right after 75 minutes.

Edwards then came on for Palmer, but Macclesfield went close again. Their 82^nd minute strike hit the bar, but Benson had any chance of a rebound blocked, as he cleared off the line.

As Macclesfield pushed all 11 players forward, Mickleover got another break after 84 minutes, with Barnes going clear on the left. His cross was perfect, but as Edwards slid in, he just failed to connect and the chance was gone.

But Macclesfield hit the post again a minute later, before Sport made their final change with Weston replacing Smith.

Hickingbottom hit a speculative shot over the bar as the clock ran down, while Dales and Barnes combined in another nice move, but adjudged offside.

For probably the fist time this season, Spors looked like a full team, from the heroics of Mersin in goal, through the solid defence of Atkinson and Benson and the positive drive from midfield and attack.

At the end of normal time Dales and Ferron set up Barnes again, but the keeper saved. With six minutes added on the pressure continued and even as the final whistle went, Dales was about to break again, but a fine 2-1 win on an amazing night of football.

 

by Peter Scherer

Looking to end a run of six straight league defeats, Mickleover have to face top of the table Macclesfield at the Don Amott Arena on Tuesday, rearranged after last weeks snowy postponement.

Apart from draws at home to Hyde Utd and away at Ilkeston, Macclesfield have won every other league game and come to us fresh from their FA Trophy penalty shootout a week last Saturday at Curzon Ashton, and last weekends 6-0 home win against bottom of the table Blyth Spartans.

Our visitors lost out to Marine in the play-offs last season after finishing as runners-up. Michael Clegg departed as manager in June after only four months, and since then Robbie Savage has been in charge.

It’s been a tough season so far for Mickleover and last weekends unlucky home defeat to Workington, after dominating the game, still leaves then in 19^th place and the threat of relegation, but hopefully the tide will turn as we have five games to play before Christmas.

One of the highlights of last Saturday’s defeat was the goal from debutant Tyreace Palmer, a second half sub who must now be in line for a start.

Goalkeeper Max Dearnley was a pre-season signing from Buxton. He started out at Penistone and after a season at Ossett Utd, moved on to Huddersfield Town. His next stop was Farsley Celtic, before joining Buxton at the start of last season, ending it on loan at Chorley.

Centre back Sam Heathcote is in his second season with our visitors, since arriving from Runcorn Linnets. He started out at Altrincham and then spent a year each at Ramsbottom and Hyde Utd, before making the return trip in July 2019. Before moving to Runcorn, he spent 2 ½ years with West Didsbury.

Right back Lewis Fensome is a former Preston North End Junior, who spent 3 ½ years at Lancaster City, before signing for Macclesfield in January 2022.

Dontai Gabidon is a midfielder that came from FC United n September. He started at Altrincham too and also had two years at West Didsbury.

Danny Whitehead plays in central midfield and is another pre-season signing from Fylde. He has league two experience and started his career with Stockport County, before a move to West Ham Utd. Following his release and a short stay at Accrington, he joined Macclesfield for the first time in July 2015, but moved to Wigan after six months.

He was loaned back to Macclesfield, along with Cheltenham, before a permanent return to our visitors. Next stop was Salford City, with another loan back at Macclesfield preceding a move to Port Vale. He was then loaned to Altrincham, before joining Fylde in January 2022.

Justin Johnson is a right sided midfielder. His career started at Sparta Rotterdam and Manchester Utd, before a spell at FC United. He then headed north to Dundee Utd, who loaned hm to York City. Cyprus was his next port of call, spending two years at Othellos Athienou, including a loan at Akritas Chlorakas, before returning to Scotland with Hamilton Academicals. He moved on again via Morton, Stalybridge Celtic and had two years at Fylde before joining our visitors pre-season.

Tre Pemberton favours the right side of midfield. A youngster with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, he joined FC United on his release. He was loaned to Longridge before a move to Stafford Rangers, where he spent nine months before arriving at Macclesfield in July 2022.

Luke Duffy is a right midfielder too. He came from Warrington at the beginning of last season after a three year spell and was previously at Lower Breck FC.

John Rooney is the brother of Wayne and is an attacking midfielder who started his career at Macclesfield back in 2008. He moved to the United States with New York Red Bulls and Orlando City, before returning to the UK with Barnsley.

Next stop was Bury, who loaned him to Chester, before the move became permanent. Wrexham was next, followed by Guiseley, Barrow and Stockport County. He came back to Macclesfield in August 2023, after a year at Oldham.

Alex Curran is another midfielder and was the two goal hero in last Saturday’s FA Trophy win over his former club Curzon Ashton. A Former Blackburn Rovers junior, he joined Colne on his release, before moving to Stockport County. Loans at FC United and Curzon Ashton followed, before the latter became permanent, spending a year with them before joining our visitors.

Winger Sean Etaluku started out at Burnley, before joining Mossley on his release. He moved to Barrow in July last year, who loaned him to Buxton and Matlock, before coming to Macclesfield two weeks ago.

D’Mani Mellor is a former Manchester Utd junior striker, with experience in Leagues One, Two and the Europa League. He was loaned to Salford before making a permanent move to Wycombe Wanderers. Further loans at Rochdale and Sutton Utd followed, before joining Gateshead at the start of this season. After just two weeks in the North East he signed for Macclesfield, and scored a hattrick in last Saturday win over Blyth.

Fellow striker Danny Elliott was a pre-season arrival too. A youth player at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, he moved to the US in 2014 with Hofstra Pride, a University side.

He was loaned to Carolina Dynamo and Long Island Rough Riders, before his four-year stay ended, with a move to Spain with San Cristobal. Three months later he was back in the UK with Port Vale, and has played for Chester, Alfreton, Hartlepool, Boston Utd, Boreham Wood and Gateshead, before joining Scunthorpe in February last year, spending five months with the Irons before becoming a Silkman. He scored two of the goals against Blyth last Saturday.

Neil Kengni is another striker signed from Marine in July 2022. He started off at Rochdale and has played for Stalybridge too.

French midfielder Laurent Mendy was signed in June 2021 from IFK Amal in Sweden and was the first player to make 100 appearances for the reformed Macclesfield FC.

Paul Dawson is a midfielder too. Signed from Bamber Bridge in May last year, he has also played for Lancaster City

Former England C International Elliott Whitehouse is a central midfielder, with League One and Two experience. As a Sheffield Utd youngster, he was loaned to York City, before moving to Notts County. He then went on loan to Nuneaton, before a permanent move to Halifax, preceded a return to Nuneaton.

Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Forest Green and Scunthorpe followed, with a loan at Spennymoor followed by Chester, from where he joined Macclesfield pre-season.

Winger Edy Maieco came from Bradford Park Avenue in September on a return trip. Having previously been at Macclesfield.

Midfielder Basit Yusuff has recently stepped up from the clubs Academy and also plays in the reserve side.

Left back Brandon Lee s one of the longer serving players, having come from Longridge in September 2021. He started at Bolton Wanderers and has also played for Chorley.

Tony Clare also arrived in 2021, a striker from Pontefract. He started off at Barnsley and Bradford City, before joining Boston Utd after an initial loan. He then had spells at Bradford Park Avenue and Buxton, before joining Pontefract in September 2020.

Central midfielder James Edmondson is currently on loan from Blackburn Rovers. 

Kick off at the Don Amott Arena is 7.45 and the forecast is dry and 4 degrees.

by Peter Scherer (Images: Steve Ingers)

It was touch and go that the match would even take place, but some sterling work behind the scenes had the snow cleared, as we welcomed Workington to the Don Amott Arena.

Starting line-up: 1- Yusuf Mersin 2-Jake Bennett 3-Brandon Ferron 4-Will Atkinson 5-Nathan James 6-Danny Benson 7-Tony Smith 8-Curtis Weston 9-Stuart Beavon 10-Andy Dales 11-Jamie Soule. Subs: Fin Ryder, Tyreace Palmer, Justin Iwobi, Edimond Oppong, Dylan Edwards.

It was fairly even opening few minutes, with Workington testing Mersin with an easy save five minutes in. But two minutes later Smith picked his spot, with a great shot from outside the box, tipped over the bar by keeper Mitchell for the first corner of the game.

Dales then put the ball across the face of the goal, but there was no one there to connect. Workington then got a break and an amount of confusion in the home defence followed, as Mersin came out but didn’t claim the ball, before Atkinson cleared the initial danger.

But the ball was fired straight back in and Smith tapped a visiting strikers ankle, who went down heavily, with the referee pointing straight to the penalty spot.

Rigg duly dispatched the penalty to make it 0-1. Although Sports kept pushing forward, the goal had given our visitors extra confidence to push on too, making the home defence work harder.

Bennett and Ferron were working on the overlaps, with Atkinson, Benson and James in the middle. But Mickleover went close again 15 minutes in, when some good work from Weston on the left found Beavon. His shot was deflected just wide though.

Two minutes later James gave away a careless free kick just outside the box, but fortunately the free kick delivery was poor and the danger had gone.

Approaching the half hour mark Smith had made some space on the right, he managed to pick out Soule, but again his attempt was blocked.

But Mickleover were still pressing for the equaliser and after 34 minutes a Dales corner found Beavon again, but his header was just wide of the right-hand post.

Ferron then ran almost half of the pitch, before he managed to shoot from a tight angle on the left, and with the keeper making a fumbled save, it was another corner.

Workington’s defence were somehow surviving the battering, and after some nice interplay between Bennett, Soule and Smith, it ended with another Beavon shot just wide of the right-hand post.

Only a minute later Beavon was in there again with a header just over, after Soule and Ferron’s build-up, but desperately close.

It could easily have been a second for Workington though, when after 40 minutes the whole defence froze, giving Nugent a free shot, totally unchallenged, which fortunately hit the bar.

Sports then got a break and Smith crossed again from the right as he tried to seek out Dales, but the ball was intercepted, just before he was able to connect.

Into time added on Dales got a break, he beat the defence and faced the advancing Mitchell as he raced off his line. But the shot lacked direction and finished well wide of the target and so it remained 0-1 as the half time whistle blew.

Barely had the second half got underway and Soule was brought down in the box, but appeals were waved away, despite it looking a more legitimate claim than the one awarded to Workington, that split the sides.

Dales broke through the defence again after 52 minutes, but his close range shot was blocked by Mitchell, as the light rain became heavier as it drifted across the pitch.

It was close again for Mickleover again two minutes later, after another precise cross from Ferron on the left. Soule made a perfect turn but his effort struck the upright again, with the rebound blocked.

Ambrose was then booked for a solid challenge on Beavon, but Dales’ free kick failed to trouble the keeper.

Mickleover then made their first change after 63 minutes, with Palmer replacing Soule. The debutant Palmer quickly made an impact, when Dales sent a cross field ball from the left to find him with acres of space. With patience and accuracy he picked his spot, beating Mitchell on his far post to finally make it 1-1.

Two minutes later Dales found Palmer again, he was through on the right but his cross was cut out, as the visitors defence were pegged back in their own box.

There was another corner with a repeat after Beavon’s header was blocked, but Atkinson fired over the bar. It was all Mickleover as they were now chasing for a winning goal and made another change with Edwards on for Beavon.

Dales put a ball into the box but the defence managed to clear it, but then 77 minutes gone and it turned again. Workington hadn’t really tested the home defence in the second half, but they won a corner on the right after a break. Once again no one took charge and it fell to Jake Allan who gratefully accepted the chance and made it 1-2.  

From a possible win after a totally dominant second half, Mickleover were heading for another defeat. They swapped Oppong for Smith in the closing minutes and had one last chance when Dales was fouled on the edge of the box. His free kick came off the wall, before the corner came to nought.

But four minutes into time added on Workington were awarded another innocuous penalty, which Rigg scored to seal a flattering 1-3 win for Workington, leaving Mickleover with a six consecutive defeat.