NELSON 4 BOOTLE 1

NELSON regained top place in the NWCL Second Division by beating Merseysiders Bootle in a game of two halves.

The Blues enjoyed total domination from the start and took the lead after 27 minutes when Carl Howarth scored an opportunist goal from close range.

Dave Leigh added the second after 39 minutes when he played a one-two with Howarth before shooting past keeper Tony Molloy.

Two minutes later Carl Howarth fired home the third Nelson goal before Kiko Rodriguez beat the keeper for Nelson's fourth goal.

Bootle pulled a goal back on 67 minutes through Paul Ryder strike.