NELSON 2 BLACKPOOL MECHANICS 1

NELSON opened up a five point lead at the top of the NWCL Division Two table following their top of the table clash with Blackpool Mechanics.

The Blues went into the clash at Victoria Park knowing defeat would knock them off pole position and they had a shakey start when Rob Parkes fired the seasiders ahead.

But John Bailey's men are defending a run of 13 games unbeaten in the league and came back in style.

Kiko Rodriguez fired home the equaliser controlling the ball well and firing a left foot shot past the keeper on 30 minutes.

The goal took his tally for the season into double figures with ten goals so far.

And Carl Howarth scored the decider two minutes after the interval, firing home a corner from close range --to take his own account for the season to 13 goals.

It was a nailbiting second half for the Blues but they held on to clinch their sixth successive victory and will now be favourites to clinch promotion.