A BRAVE but under-strength Nelson side lost despite outplaying Flixton for much of the game.

After a goalless first half, Nelson should have taken the lead within a minute of the restart when Neil Chapman was brought down in the area, but the Flixton keeper dived low to his right to palm away Paul Barrett's penalty.

The Blues were made to pay six minutes later when Anthony Hargreaves blasted in a 20-yard shot to give Flixton the lead.

Nelson deservedly equalised through Chapman's close-range shot on 68 minutes before Barrett struck the post 10 minutes from time.

Six minutes later, Nelson were stunned by a Ryan Gilligan free kick into the top corner before Anthony Hargreaves scored another spectacular goal on the break in the last minute.

FLIXTON 3

NELSON 1