BACUP Borough defied the odds to record only their third win of the season against high-flyers Congleton.

Danny Whelan's second-half strike was enough to give Borough a priceless win in their bid to avoid the drop.

With a full treatment room and coming up against a side that had only lost one game at home this season, Bacup had to play uphill and into the wind in the first half.

Congleton were unlucky not to go ahead in the sixth minute but the woodwork came to Borough's rescue.

But Brent Peters' men started to threaten at the other end when Tony Carroll brought a top save from Congleton keeper Adam Wilkes.

Then, moments later, Dave Luker set up Carroll who was again foiled by Wilkes.

As they half wore on, Congleton were using the slope to their advantage and Adam Potts in the Bacup goal had to be on his mettle to keep out a Town effort.

And just before the interval, Carroll's free kick was again saved by the impressive Wilkes.

With the slope and wind in their favour in the second half, Bacup started to press.

First, John Borg fired just over and then Carroll had an effort blocked. Then, on 55 minutes, Bacup took the lead when Carroll whipped over a corner and Whelan, on loan from Curzon Ashton, ghosted in at the far post to head home.

As the game wore on, Congleton's frustration at not being able to get an equaliser was starting to tell and two cynical fouls resulted in two red cards and the hosts were reduced to nine men.

But the Bears almost nicked a point in stoppage time when a Congleton defender broke through but Potts stood up to the test and secured the points.