EVEN the prompting of player-manager John Bailey in the midfield mud at Victoria Park could not inspire Nelson to salvage anything from the NWCL Division Two encounter.

Once again the Blues failed to convert their chances and were punished when Chadderton took the lead after 16 minutes, Damian Gibbons firing home from the edge of the penalty area.

Early in the second half, Nelson laid siege to the Chadderton goal but the visitors defended stubbornly and many promising build-ups came to nothing in the rapidly worsening pitch.

Nelson pushed forward and Chadderton took full advantage in the closing minutes when a Nelson corner was cleared and Martin Hardman raced clear and chipped Mark Canning to seal the win.

The Blues were awarded a penalty in injury time for an innocuous offence but even then Nelson failed to find the back of the net, Lee Grogan saving from Andy Howarth.

NELSON...0 CHADDERTON...2