CASTLETON GABRIELS 0 BACUP 1

BACUP keeper Daryll Sloane won the NWCL Division Two Safe Hands award for December -- and then helped his side earn three points with a last minute save.

The shot-stopper pushed a 90th minute Castleton corner over the crossbar as they looked for a last gasp equaliser.

But Bacup -- who are unbeaten in four league games -- should have had the game sewn up by this time after Nicky Taylor had given them a tenth minute lead.

Damien Moran sent through a defence splitting pass but Taylor still had plenty to do as he put the ball past the home keeper for his seventh goal of the season.

Karl Stanley had a couple of chances to increase the score but couldn't finish them off making it a slightly less comfortable day on the bench for manager Brent Peters.

"A clean sheet, three points and we're happy. We're confident going into the second half of the season that we can put together a late run, as long as we can stay clear on injuries," said the Bacup chief.