TWO quality strikes from Carl Howarth gave Nelson a winning start to their NWCL second division campaign.

Nelson had fallen behind during a scrappy first half at Brantingham Road.

They took the lead after 24 minutes when the Blues only half cleared a dangerous ball into their box and Steve Shaughnessy shot home from the edge of the area.

Howarth created a chance for Dave Gray to level before the break but having gone past the home keeper he missed the empty net. Debutant keeper Billy Carrington was kept busy in the Nelson goal early in the second half and on the hour his side was level.

A long kick from the keeper found Howarth on the left wing and he beat two defenders before chipping the ball over the advancing keeper.

Three minutes later it was deja-vu as Carrington again found Howarth and, this time with the help of Stuart Mulligan, he produced chipped the keeper.

Nelson entertain Chadderton tomorrow night.

MAINE ROAD...1

NELSON...2