STRUGGLING Great Harwood were victims of their own pitch as their passing game ground to a halt at the Showground.

Denis Underwood had been pleased with the last three performances but said his side struggled on their own patch.

And he is even looking forward to playing at NWCL first division high-flyers Salford City on Saturday - because they have a nice pitch.

Congleton have now moved nine points clear of Harwood who are embroiled in another relegation battle.

The visitors took the lead after just two minutes through David Shaw. They broke down the right wing, a cross was whipped in and Shaw nipped in in front of the defender to head home.

"The rest of the half was pretty even," said manager Underwood.

"We had played decent in the last three games but that was on good pitches. We tried to pass but it was getting us nowhere.

"Dave Sharples probably had his least effective game because he likes to get it down and pass it."

Harwood had a number of chances in the second half and Congleton were on the back foot.

The keeper pulled off a brilliant save from Shaun Bursnell after a fine string of passes from defence to attack.

Graham Lightbown had a shot blocked and for 25 minutes Harwood were on top but they failed to turn their dominance into goals.

"We had to score but didn't and they went up and got their second and it was over then. We carried on trying but we knew at 1-0 we had a chance but the chances of coming back from 2-0 down were slim and we knew it."

Congleton's second goal came when Ramsbottom target Carl Lomax - who caused the home side all manner of problems - got past Neil Baron and crossed for one played to dummy and the next, Shaw, to take a shot. Harwood keeper Alan Dawson blocked it but it hit Bursnell and went in.

Ryan Staniland came off injured with a dislocated knee and could be out for a month. Harwood have no game midweek.

GREAT HARWOOD...0 CONGLETON...2