THE only problem for Nelson after making off with the Division Two Trophy last night at The Anchor was where to put it, writes BRIAN DOOGAN.

Unaccustomed to taking silverware back to Victoria Park, provision had not been made for displaying this particular piece either.

"How long would it take you to knock us a trophy cabinet together, Jim?" chairman Ken Broom was heard to say.

Matt Shiels, whose exquisite goal settled the issue, subsequently settled the dilemma.

"If they're having problems over where to keep the trophy, they can put it on my mantelpiece," he quipped in a clubhouse full of Nelson people who looked like they could soon get used to the art of celebrating famous victories.

This was certainly one of them as, through resolute willpower and disciplined defending, they overcame a Garswood team still in the shake-up for promotion who had come to Darwen's ground convinced that they would win.

From the outset it was clear that Nelson had altogether different ideas.

They harried Garswood's attacking players whenever danger beckoned, they battled stoically in midfield to reduce the opposition's potency and, in Matt Shiels up front, they had a player capable of making a decisive intervention in a match characterised by half-chances.

"I thought we played brilliantly, accomplishing what we set to do," said a beaming Ian Britton whose expression suggested that victory last night meant every bit as much to this proud Scotsman as lifting the Scottish championship with Dundee United in 1984.

"The first 25 minutes we defended well. "We came under a bit of pressure from free kicks and corners but when we broke we always looked we could score a goal."

Andy Bannister provided excellent support in the attack but the main man was unquestionably Shiels.

Chasing a long ball forward from John Naylor along with Garswood defender Gary Dooner, Shiels got his body to the ball first, burst past Dooner on the right hand edge of the box and then, spotting the keeper off his line, executed the deadliest of lobs from a narrow angle.

"Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't, but it's great when they work out," he said about his ninth minute strike before deflecting praise squarely back on his colleagues.

"Everybody played well and it's a great night for Nelson Football Club."

Shiels fashioned another chance, almost single-handedly, after 20 minutes when a dangerous ball was only half cleared by the Garswood defence and, poised on the edge of the box, he swivelled onto his left foot and drove a low shot to Brian Deakin's left which the keeper did well to save.

Veteran Joe Gibiliru then nearly turned the ball into his own net when meeting a dangerous cross but his deflection went out for a corner, wide of the goal by inches.

With 10 minutes remaining in the half, Gary Laird was put clear by a good through ball but he tried to lob the advancing Trevor Hanson when a shot may have been the better option and the ball went harmlessly over.

Right on half-time Bannister turned sharply and drove hard but his shot was pulled just wide. Garswood increased the pressure in the second half, chasing the equaliser but, well marshalled by captain John Bailey, Naylor and Kieron Roberts, Nelson held firm.

Shiels and Ian Fleming had good chances to seal it in the final 12 minutes but thwarted their opportunities.

It didn't matter.

"We were a much tougher proposition than Garswood expected," said Broom, whose black trilby made him look like a gangster from the 1930s.

"Two years ago we started building from the bottom with an objective to reach the top. Tonight we're on top and it's a great feeling."

Maybe now they will start work on that trophy cabinet in earnest.

Nelson: Trevor Hanson, John Naylor, Kieron Roberts, Ian Britton, John Bailey, Ian Fleming, Ian Mason, Tony Fitton, Andy Bannister, Matt Shiels, Andy Howarth, Stuart Milligan, Nigel Coates, Neville Roscoe.

Garswood: Brian Deakin, Gary Achillons, Gary Dooner, Ian Leather, Darren Kelsey, Joe Gibiliru, Jimmy Woodyear, Jimmy Collins, Brian Griffiths, Gary Laird, Barry Edwardson, Chris Staunton, Steve Morrow, Lee Penman.

Nelson travel to Bacup Borough tomorrow and Ian Britton will need to check on John Bailey's hamstring before naming a side.

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