NELSON crashed to defeat thanks to a disappointing second half performance at Alsager on Saturday.

The Blues were without several key players as they faced the second placed promotion contenders on a hard bobbly pitch, but gave a good account of themselves in the first half.

In fact there was little to choose between the two sides with Nelson creating several half chances early on and the home defence looking shaky under pressure.

Mark Smith got in a clear header from a corner after 18 minutes but the ball flew wide of the far post and Micky Bartholomew might have made more of the chances that came his way but found the ball difficult to control on the hard surface.

At the other end the diminutive Karl Bayley was looking the dangerman as he forced Steve Petty into a good save after 28 minutes and had other efforts just off target.

Then after 36 minutes it was Bayley who finished off a good build-up when he burst into the penalty area and beat the advancing Steve Petty with a low shot to give Alsager the lead.

The Blues were still very much in contention and began the second half looking for an equalising goal with Carl Howarth and Stuart Mulligan giving the home defence problems.

Alsager were always dangerous on the break however, and Nelson handed them a second goal after 64 minutes when Andy Howarth mis-kicked in his own half and presented Karl Bayley with a chance to shoot from the edge of the penalty area giving Petty no chance.

Blues boss John Bailey drove his side forward, but to no avail and Alsager again caught them out after 73 minutes with a third goal.

When a Nelson corner was poorly delivered and easily cleared the ball was played to the other end where Steve Petty came out of his penalty area but failed to intercept the ball and Craig Redgate blasted it into the empty net.

Two minutes later another Nelson corner found John Bailey's head at the far post but his header crashed against the bar and was cleared.

Although Nelson substitutes Molyneux and Coldridge tried hard on the wings in the closing stages, it was Alsager who looked the stronger and sealed the game with a fourth goal on 85 minutes.

With the Nelson defence drawn out of position, a good crossfield pass found Karl Bayley unmarked at the far post where he had time to control the ball before knocking it home to complete his hat trick.

It was an afternoon to forget for the Blues but they may yet have their revenge as Alsager still have to come to Victoria Park on April 13.

ALSAGER TOWN...4

NELSON...0