NELSON stepped up a gear in their build-up to the season with a deserved 3-2 victory over Unibond opponents Ossett Town.

With a stronger side than the previous Saturday, the Blues always looked a more confident outfit. They took the lead after nine minutes when Andy Bannister scored with a cool chip over a floundering Ossett defence, but were pegged back five minutes later by a lethal Matthew Smithard equaliser which caught the home defence flat-footed.

In an action-packed first half it was Ossett who snatched the lead when Chris Shaw headed home their second goal after 31 minutes.

One minute later Kiko Rodriguez headed down a cross for Andy Bannister to fire in Nelson's second goal and level the scores at 2-2.

Nelson keeper Mark Canning denied the visitors with a great save on the hour before Scott Gizon scored Nelson's winner when he beat the keeper to a high cross and headed home the Blues third goal after 70 minutes.

NELSON 3 OSSETT TOWN 2