A DOUR match brightened only by two superb pieces of football and the non-stop running of Tom Boyd, produced an important win for the East Lancashire side and maintained their quest for silverware.

The first of the purple patches came after 12 minutes when Paul Corrigan on the left flank played the ball inside to Liam Roberts who in turn slid the simplest of passes into the path of the speeding Stuart Mulligan.

He rifled a grass-cutter into the bottom corner of the Poulton net to secure a half-time lead for Barlick in a keenly-contested match played in atrocious weather.

The second period was little better with the ray of sunshine coming in the 65th minute.

This time the taker became the provider when Mulligan beat the left full-back, got to the byline before cutting inside to beat another visiting defender.

He then pulled a slide-rule pass to the feet of the unmarked Boyd in the six-yard box who tapped home the easiest of chances.

When Poulton reduced the arrears to a single goal in the 74th minute, the brave spectators were given little to excite them for remaining period as the visitors battled in vain to rescue a point.

United's man of the match was deservedly Boyd.

Barnoldswick's squad: Dewhurst, Ditta, Naylor, Bancroft, Barrett, McDowell, Roberts, Carling, Mulligan, Corrigan, Boyd. Subs: Terry, Bannister, Waugh.

On Saturday (March 6), Barnoldswick entertain Haslingden St Mary's at West Close ground.

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