In-form Cairns on scoresheet but Town beaten at Winsford

early on - Jack Watts’ shot hit the post and Danny Boden knocked in the rebound - but Boden was flagged offside. The hosts had the better of the first 15 minutes and should have gone ahead when Joe Duckworth cut the ball back to Boden who blazed over the bar.

There was a let off on 24 minutes when Joe Blackham’s clearance was blocked and the ball fell to

Duckworth who chipped the ball over Adam Reid but wide of the post.

Five minutes later another chance for Winsford - Town left themselves short at the back and Duckworth exchanged passes with Boden before firing narrowly wide.

Winsford took the lead on 34 minutes. Town lost the ball in midfield and Matthew Boland’s through ball found Boden and he finished low past Reid.

The lead was then doubled just two minutes later. Boland found Duckworth in the box and although Marcus James put in a good challenge the ball fell to Duckworth to slot home.

Town responded and were unlucky not to score on 44 minutes. A good move involving Paul McManus and Craig Cairns created an opportunity for Ben Greenop, but his shot was blocked by Matty Russell.

From the resulting corner Kieran Holsgrove’s ball into the box found Greenop at the far post and he headed narrowly over.

Town were back in the game in first half injury time. Ellis Jones won the ball just inside his own half and threaded a perfect through ball to Cairns, who finished past the keeper for his third goal in as many games.

Winsford extended the lead early in the second half with Duckworth and Boden combining again. Duckworth flicked the ball on to Boden who progressed down the left channel and crossed low for Duckworth to tap in.

Town almost got a second on 57 minutes - Holsgrove’s low cross was just about to be tapped in by Cairns but Russell put in a fantastic tackle to deny him.

There was a bit of a lull in the game with a flurry of substitutions impacting on the flow of the game. Neither goalkeeper was given much work to do as the game turned into a midfield battle.

Substitute Matty Sumner had Town’s best opportunity when his goal bound shot was deflected away for a corner. For Winsford, Boland almost added a fourth in injury time, but Reid made a smart save.