Match report: Squires Gate 1 Hanley Town 0

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Andy Clarkson’s side also made it nine games unbeaten despite being without Isaac Sinclair, Dan Gray and Jordan Salthouse, all of whom were on Lancashire duty.

Tarren Moxon came back into the side in an unfamiliar role at left-back while Joey Mullen was at right-back.

Gate could have opened the scoring 10 minutes into the first half with some clever football but Dean Ing’s shot could only find Gary Pett and didn’t test the keeper.

Pett got into two good attacking positions for Gate, firstly beating the offside trap before firing wide, and then heading a corner back into the area but without seeing a team-mate get on the end of it.

Ryan Charnley and Pett again linked up as the game headed to half-time; Pett played a lovely ball across the pitch to find Charnley, who fired over after cutting inside.

Hanley had the last chance of the first half, testing Gate twice in quick succession.

The first brought a fine save from the keeper before a goalline clearance meant the game went into half-time with the scores level.

The away side started the second half with calls for a penalty but those shouts were ignored by the referee.

Gate would finally make the break through after 51 minutes.

Charnley’s shot fell to Max Rothwell, who made no mistake in stroking the ball past the keeper.

Another end to end moment saw both teams go close in a short space of time.

Another fine save thwarted Hanley before both Charnley and Ing were denied by two great saves.

Scott Harries went close with one of Gate’s last chances of the second half, but his shot was well saved by the Hanley keeper.

Gate are next in action on Tuesday night when they host AFC Darwen (7.45pm).