Atherton LR battled their way back to the top of the NWCFL First Division North with a 1-0 win at previous leaders Nelson in their top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.
Heading into the battle, LR held the underdogs position and nothing but a win would satisfy the Yellows.
Hosts Nelson, despite being favourites, had not beaten LR at the Daisy Arena in more than five years.
Despite prolific home goalscorer, Charlie Frost, being sidelined due to an injury in the warm-up, his replacement, Jack Doherty, gave LR some scares and forced Joe Bickerstaffe into several early saves.
In the 36th minute, LR’s George Chadwick delivered a corner which met the head of Lance Houghton, who directed it past Christopher Thompson. However, despite pointing to the centre circle, the referee changed his mind and decided there had been a foul on the Nelson keeper and denied LR the lead.
Returning from the interval, LR were quickly forced to defend as Nelson’s Lewis Brown teamed up with Ryan Bolton to create a counter attack, which ended with a low cross into the box to Doherty. However, a quick-thinking Bickerstaffe went low and spread himself to deny Nelson up close.
In the 67th minute, the loud and proud LR fans who had travelled in their numbers were rewarded with the breakthrough.
A flick-on by a returning Tom Romano found Joe Bacon, who saw the gap in the Nelson line and charged through - composing himself and slotting it home in the top right corner, sending the away end into raptures.
It was a very nervy final 20 minutes for the Yellows, with Nelson pushing with everything they had.
But captain Lewis Adams, making his 40th appearance of the season, held out well with Abiola Obasoto and Owen Green, with Bickerstaffe providing more fantastic saves to deny Nelson.
The full-time whistle blew and prompted a huge sigh of relief for the Yellows, who returned to the top spot clear by two points
Manager Dave Jones noted his satisfaction with the performance and said: “Two sides were going for it, trying to get some important points at this stage of the season.
“I thought we put a strong performance in physically, won a lot of ground and played some good stuff.
“Our fans were outstanding. I said to the lads, to see that support at step-six football, away from home is outstanding.”
LR have another tough test on Tuesday night when they take on fellow promotion-contenders, Droylsden (7.45pm).
A win would give Jones’ side the chance to seal the title on Saturday.
