Nelson started with just one change from win against 1874 Northwich with Nat Taylor preferred to Adam Dawson, Danny Finch passed a fitness test and Richie Allen and Peter Wright made their home debuts in attack.
And attack was the order of the 1st half with Nelson creating a dozen clear cut opportunities. The first of which came after only 2 minutes when Allen burst through from the left, and despite probably being fouled in the area, the big forward got his shot off which was well saved by Piggott in the Cheadle goal. A minute later Cheadle weren’t so fortunate however, a lethal corner from Boswell headed in at the back post by Josh Barrick for his 3rd goal in 4 games, not a bad return for a central defender.

On 6 minutes the Boswell / Barrick combination nearly bore fruit again, a repeat of the first goal, but this time Barrick’s header was over the bar.

The first real opportunity for the visitors came on 16 minutes, the lively Chris Sherrington’s effort wide of the post.

Chances followed for Chris Turner, Liam Boswell, Peter Wright and two headers from set plays from Danny Finch. But the Cheadle defence stood firm and the visitors looked dangerous on the counter. On 32 minutes a switch from right to left nearly brought the visitors level, a Finch clearance bouncing off Ben Woodhead when they went for the same ball and deflecting wide, the resulting corner was cleared.

With a minute to go in the half Nelson got reward for the chances they had created, wonderful link-up play between Wright and Boswell leaving Wright with the goal at his mercy, and he expertly finished past Piggott to send Nelson into the break with a two goal advantage. Indeed it could have been 3-0 as a cross from the left just before the break was mis-hit by Taylor as he stood unmarked 5 yards from goal.

The second period began as a tepid affair, the only point of note a ‘card happy’ referee who had become centre stage with a host of soft decisions and bookings in a game that didn’t have a bad challenge in it.

Nelson had opportunities to wrap things up as the half wore on, Boswell missing from point blank range on 63 minutes, and Wright mistiming an effort when 10 yards out on 67 minutes. And as the visitors grew into the game they were handed a lifeline 15 minutes from time, Nelson not closing down a 2nd ball and substitute Danny jones who lashed a show through a crowd of players and into the net.

With the goal came a resurgent Cheadle, but despite them now being the better side it still looked like Nelson were the most likely to score, now on the counter. Boswell hitting the post in the closing stages then somehow hitting a shot wide from 4 yards, with the official blowing the whistle a minute later to signal the end to an entertaining game where Nelson were good value for 3 points on clear cut chances created.

The league leaders now travel to champions Formby on Wednesday night.

Nelson: Woodhead, Finch, Murphy (Lloyd, 60), Whitwell, Barrick, Taylor (Hession, 70), Turner (Dawson, 65), Mihell, Boswell, Wright, Allen.

Attendance: 92

Man of the Match: Danny Finch