Coming off the back of 3 decent results Malpas came to Horwich Park with confidence and certainly started that way.

The forwards holding the ball up well and bringing the midfield into play to create a couple of early skirmishes with the visitors almost breaking through the Whaley back line a couple of times.

Whaley’s rejigged back four did seem to start a bit on the nervous side and Sutton’s failure to ‘get rid’ first time and his subsequent tackle from behind on the edge of the box resulted in a very debatable penalty, against the run of play it has to be said. Whether it was on the line, just outside or whether it was actually a foul was irrelevant as Alex Hughes stroked the ball home to put the visitors in front.

The home side had to wake up and that they certainly did, it was all action but as usual chances went a begging, the ball flashing low across the six yard box on several occasions but with no one able to get on the end of it; crosses in abundance coming from Leadbetter & Joe Burgess but again with no finish.

The second half started in much the same vein with Whaley piling on the pressure; George Burgess moving upfront with Leadbetter and Joe Burgess retaining possession effectively to create problems down the flanks; Morris introduction also added a bit more guile as he played off George to link with the midfield. Ultimately then another from Burgess flashed low and hard across the six yard box and was coolly dispatched at close range by young Leadbetter to level the scores.

It was never easy and although the home side kept piling on the pressure Malpas’ forwards were still bringing their midfield into the game on the break at every opportunity to creating a couple of nervous moments for the home side.  Joe Burgess secured the winner on 75 minutes when he managed to latch on to a loose ball near the post following another goalmouth scramble.

It has to be said that Dan Gilbride had an outstanding game in midfield, aggressive and stubbornly difficult to shift off the ball he wasn't about to just boot the ball away and linked well with fellow left footers Alfie Hodges, Sam Leadbetter and the Broome.

So there it is, a 5^th win under the Whaley belt to make it 7 games unbeaten so far; Eagle Sports away next week - be there!

Tattersall; Hodges; Sutton(C); Streets; Bailey W; Burgess J; Burgess G; Broome; Gilbride; Laedbetter; Scorer

Morris; Kelly