Match report: Squires Gate 0 Congleton Town 1

The opening exchanges saw the visitors on top as they looked to make it four wins from four and they had an early penalty claim turned down.

Gate started to come into the game with Ryan Riley curling an effort off target and Gary Pett’s free-kick blocked.

Both sides could have found the net before half-time as they were awarded spot-kicks.

Congleton’s came on 28 minutes but Gate keeper Ben Fletcher guessed correctly to keep out Emini Adegbenro’s shot and Dan Cope’s follow-up.

Dan Gray struck the bar for Gate, who had a penalty two minutes before the break.

Brett Dawson was fouled at the back post from a corner but Pett fired his spot-kick well over the bar.

Gate took their improved performance into the second half as Dean Ing could not keep his header down before Pett was sent through one on one, only to fire over.

Congleton eventually made the breakthrough after 80 minutes when John Main scored after Fletcher had kept out a shot.

Although Gate tried to salvage a draw, they could not convert several chances and are back in action at Ashton Athletic on Tuesday.

Squires Gate: Fletcher, Richards, Rossall, Sumner, Gray, Charnley, Booth, Ing, Riley, Dawson, Pett. Subs: Mullen, Kay, Reader, Jones, Salthouse.