BREIGHTMET United returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory against Heywood St James in Division One of the Manchester Football League.

After a slow start, Breightmet broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when Jimmy Freedman opened the scoring.

Manager Roberts said: "We played the ball through to Ben Walmsley and he was one-on-one with the keeper.

"But the keeper made a save and it rebounded to Jimmy Freedman coolly slotted home from eight yards."

However, manager Roberts was forced to shuffle his pack after an injury to striker Jason Brooks just before the break.

He said: "He picked up a knock after a heavy challenge and it meant I had to move things about.

"We kept the same players and system but in different positions.

"After a while in the second half we started to get on top again and about 15 minutes from time we grabbed another goal.

"It was a carbon copy of the first goal as Ben Walmsley went through and the keeper forced him wide but he pulled the ball back to the edge of the penalty box and Junior Ralphson fired the ball home."

Breightmet secured the victory and it was the perfect response after their 2-2 draw with table-toppers Leigh Athletic last week.

Roberts said: "It was good to get the win and even though it was not fantastic we managed to control the match.

"I think our goals came at the right time and allowed us to kill the game off.

"It was professional display and deserved to win.

"I was not that disappointed by the Leigh draw because we were playing the top side.

"But we are still joint top and I think we have proved that we can be a match for anyone in this league.

"We will be able to keep the team together and we will continue to develop."

Roberts believes the damage to Brooks is not as bad as initially feared.

He said: "I spoke to him and it is more of an impact injury rather than an ankle break.

"It was a bit a last-ditch tackle and he will be resting from training this week and then hopefully he will come back next week."