A GOAL by Nelson captain Andy Haworth gave the Blues their third win on the trot in the NWCL Second Division and completed the double over Cheadle.

It was never easy for Nelson as Cheadle fought every inch of the way to avenge the 5-0 drubbing they received at Victoria Park just over three weeks ago.

And but for some good defending by Martin Brown and Danny Whittaker, they might well have had some reward.

The Blues took the lead after 18 minutes when a series of good attacks paid off for Andy Haworth, who found himself space inside the home penalty area and drove an angled shot past the keeper and in off the far post.

Paul Barrett almost doubled Nelson's lead after 37 minutes after Steve Whittaker and Craig Bradshaw had set him up in front of goal, but his touch let him down.

And in an end-to-end second half, both Barrett and Bradshaw should have made the game safe from a series of good chances as the home defence was exposed by some quick breaks.

Paul Fildes was the unluckiest player when his angled shot beat the Cheadle keeper, but came back off the far post to deny him a goal.

CHEADLE TOWN ...0

NELSON ...1