NELSON lost ground at the top of the North West Counties League Premier Division after losing by the odd goal in five at home to Bootle.

Mark Fell’s men went behind when Samuel Wilkie scored just 14 minutes in to give the Merseysiders, who began the day behind Nelson on goal difference alone, the lead.

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The visitors also hit the bar in the opening exchanges before Peter Wright was denied a goal by the offside flag. Wright then hit a post before the break as the Admirals looked to get back on level terms.

Joseph O’Neill equalised for the home side five minutes after the break but Mark Kilroy restored Bootle’s advantage 20 minutes from time with a free kick.

James McGrane seemed to have sealed the points for the visitors when he netted their third nine minutes from time but Nelson responded once again and Ben Hoskin halved the deficit on 88 minutes when his header found the net off the underside of the bar. But the goal came too late to salvage a point for the Admirals who drop to eighth in the table.

Barnoldswick Town’s improvement continued as they secured a 1-1 draw at home to mid-table Winsford United.

Stewart Aidrie’s men have now picked up seven points from their last three games as the bid to avoid relegation.

Mark Threllfall put Barlick in front with 20 minutes to go but they were denied a third straight win by Daniel Egan’s 81st minute equaliser. The point leaves Barlick three points clear of the drop zone.

Elsewhere, Colne’s trip to Ashton Athletic and Bacup & Rossendale Borough’s home clash with Alsager Town both fell victim to the weather.

Colne are eighth place but have up to eight games in hand on the sides above them.

Brent Peters’ Bacup remain deep in relegation trouble despite an improvement in form in recent weeks.

Bacup are bottom of the table, 13 points from safety but with four games in hand.