Stretford Paddock succumbed to a damaging 4-1 defeat at Openshaw Campus against fellow promotion hopefuls Winsford Town.
The defeat for paddock leaves them relying on other results for any chance to finish in the top two.
The opening ten minutes of the game saw an edgy affair as both teams looked to get a hold of possession without creating too much of an opportunity.
With a dozen minutes on the clock a calamitous error saw paddock gift the lead to Winsford. As the centre half played a long hopeful ball up field, a mix up between captain James Oatt and Mason Taylor allowed the Winsford attacker to pinch the ball and roll it into an empty net.
Paddock best opportunity of the half came after 20 minutes as Nosa Iyamu received the ball in the middle of the park before playing a faint through pass to Ryan Katumba inside the area, although the keeper was quick off his line to smother the shot and keep Winsford’s lead.
As the game entered the final third of the first half, Paddock seemingly fell apart. With Winger Joao De Andrade getting disposed in the full back position a cross whipped in front of the face of the goal was inadvertently turned into the net at the back post by Omar Sinclair.
With five minutes to go of the half Winsford on yet another attack took the ball down the by line before a cut back in the box saw a shot deflect towards the back post allowing the unmarked Winsford attacker a simple tap in.
Winsford with a corner in the final minute of the half played the ball to the back post as a scrambled clearance was hooked back in the six-yard box as it was calmly volleyed into the goal leaving paddock a mountain to climb.
Half time: Stretford Paddock 0-4 Winsford Town
Paddock with nothing to lose in the second half came out with much-changed formation and personnel.
The first chance of the half came after a quarter of an hour with Jaineiro Salmon-Harris driving through the middle of the park before laying the ball to Katumba on the edge of the area. Katumba controlled the ball before unleashing a curling effort which was well saved by the Winsford keeper.
Paddock pushed for goals and continued to create half chances as Winsford allowed the home team to maintain the ball.
With ten minutes left to go Salmon-Harris from inside his own half played a switch ball to De Andrade who drove down the left before crossing deep to far post with second half substitute Callum Walsh side footing his shot as the ball bounced over the keeper into the net.
The goal proved to be a mere consolation as both sides played out a dull end to the game failing to create any clear cut chances.
Full time: Stretford Paddock 1-4 Winsford Town
