Finnair Manchester League Premier Division

Prestwich Heys...1 Elton Fold...2

ELTON FOLD took the honours in this tough local derby with a disciplined, hard-working performance that earned them their first away league win of the season.

The three points were the first they have ever taken from Heys' Sandgate Road ground.

Heys were a much more subdued side than the one which won convincingly at Elton Vale in December, due in no uncertain terms to Fold's improvement since then which itself has been aided by their new signings.

The Fold players showed plenty of character and belief as they went about their respective tasks and they were rewarded as early as the seventh minute when Keith Ingham produced some of his old magic, weaving into the penalty box only to be upended in full flight for an obvious penalty. Dave Wilkes stepped up to take the spot kick and made no mistake, despite 'keeper Paul Johnston getting a hand to the ball.

Fold were forced to make an early substitution when Ingham had to leave the field in the 20th minute due to a recurrence of a previous injury, but his replacement, Dean Donohue, was soon in action as he picked out John Armstrong at the back post with a cleverly threaded pass, but Armstrong rushed his shot and miskicked with only Johnston to beat.

Minutes earlier the keeper had been at full stretch to keep out a similar effort from Shaw as Fold began to find space in the danger area.

Despite their superiority, Fold couldn't extend their lead and were subsequently stunned in the 35th minute when Heys equalised.

A corner kick was only partially cleared to the 18-yard line and O'Brien sent a low drive through a forest of legs into the corner of the net. This prompted Prestwich's best spell of the game, but some stout defending, including two magnificent last-ditch tackles from Doran, kept the scores level at half-time.

Elton didn't have things their own way as much in the second period, but still held the upper hand and went nearest to taking the lead in the 56th minute when Donohue's snap shot from 25 yards flew inches wide of an upright.

In the 82nd minute Fold finally grabbed the winning goal their

efforts had warranted when Slater's long ball dissected the Heys' defence.

Smith latched onto it and made a bee-line for goal. A chasing defender attempted to wrench Smith's shirt off his back, but the Fold striker was strong enough to fend off the challenge and plant the ball past the advancing Johnston from the edge of the penalty box.

Heys threw everything at Fold in an effort to grab an equaliser, but Elton were equal to the task, despite Crossley having to save on the line at the second attempt in stoppage time.

ELTON FOLD: Crossley 7, Slater 8, Doran 9, Dearden 8, Price 7, Shaw 8, Wilkes 8, Armstrong 8, Ingham 7, Coyle 8, Smith 8 Subs: Donohue 7, Lomax 7. Not used: Proudfoot.

The Reserves first home game since the end of October saw them climb away from the drop zone with a 2-1 win against Pennington Reserves. Anthony Healey and David Aspinall were the scorers.

High-riding Mitchell Shackleton are the visitors to Elton Vale tomorrow, with Fold's Reserves travelling in the opposite direction (both kick-off at 2.30pm).

Tickets are on sale for the club's latest Sportsman's Evening at Elton Cricket Club, Leigh Lane, Bury on Friday 30th March, commencing at 7.30pm.

The guest speaker is former Burnley and England under-21 international goalkeeper Alan Stevenson and the comedian is Gary George.

Tickets cost £10, which includes a pie & peas supper and can be obtained from Stuart Robb on 01204-887565 or John

Nuttall on 0161-764-1642.