Burscough 2 Squires Gate 1: Strugglers defeat rusty Gate

Burscough gave themselves a massive boost in their premier division survival battle as goals at either end of the first half sealed three precious points.

Gate made just the one change to the side which had beaten Litherland REMYCA back on February 8 as new signing Declan Baldwin made his debut in place of Gary Pett.

The visitors’ chances were limited in the first half but Burscough made the most of theirs.

Striker Chris Lomax opened the scoring after just two minutes, when he caught Gate napping.

Midfielder Kevin Pollard looked to shoot from distance but Gate keeper Jordan Gidley was well behind the shot.

But Pollard would get the better of Gidley three minutes before half-time, when the Greens doubled their lead.

The towering Pollard rose highest to head in Jack Fleming’s free-kick.

After a half-time dressing down, Gate were much-improved in the second half and Dean Ing tested the keeper after good build-up play.

Burscough looked to add a third but Gidley was equal to a bobbling free’kick.

Good play from Gate worked a good crossing position for James Boyd out wide. His cross found Baldwin in the box but the debutant headed wide.

Another new face was Hyuga Tanner, who came off the bench and set up Sam Staunton-Turner but Gate’s captain fired over.

Gate had a penalty claim turned down when Ing went down in the box.

However, they were awarded a penalty in the 90th minute, Ing again the player brought down in the box.

Boyd stepped up to slot the penalty away but it was too late for Luke Evans’ men.

Mid-table Gate welcome Runcorn Town to Marton on Saturday.

This was one of only three NWC premier division matches to beat the weather and only three more survived in first division north.

The postponements there included eighth-placed AFC Blackpool’s visit to rock-bottom Yorkshire club Steeton.

Gate: Gidley, Gourley, Westwood, Holden, Higham, Turner, Pollard, Riley, Boyd, Baldwin, Ing. Subs: Garrett, Tanner, Iley, Johanson, Dodd.