IT should have been a more convincing scoreline but CMB manager Rob Pennington says his side were deserving winners at GSK Ulverston Rangers.

Goals right at the end of each half gave CMB the points that keep them in sight of the battle at the top of Division One, and Pennington feels when he gets his injured players back – or some of them, at least – they can still mount a challenge.

“We deserved the win, massively. They had two shots and Danny Lever only needed to save one of them,” he told The Bolton News.“We scored with the last kick of each half, probably the right times, but we struggled to break them down. Their keeper made some excellent saves but twice, after he’d saved them but given away a corner, he was at fault for our goals from Ben Thornton and Matty Chapman when the ball came in.

“I think their league position is a bit of a false one, given their ability, and their manager said we looked the strongest team they’ve faced this season, we’re very attack-minded, play at a high tempo and defend from the front.

“It was a pleasing day, fantastic given the results involving teams above us.”

Hurst Green took over at the top after Poulton dropped two points against Crooklands Casuals and, with Milnthorpe Corinthians losing and Eagley being beaten 3-2 at Wyre Villa, CMB are now hot on their heels, with games in hand, thanks in part to an inactive December.

“We’ve got a few players back but we had to make five changes from the team the week before,” added Pennington. “Matty [Chapman] playing his first game since October was massive for us, he caused Ulverston a lot of problems and scored a good goal, he’s as good as new.

“Oliver Turner came up from the reserves, he’s a centre-back but filled in at right-back and he was man-of-the-match.

“We’ve made two good signings as well, we’ve brought in the Farrell brothers, Adam and Simon, and Scott McNair – who hasn’t played since March – is back in full training.

“But it will be nice to have all of our injured lads back to call on. We’re still missing lads like Andy Bishop, Danny Swailes, Colin Brooks, Liam Carr and Callum Yearsley.

“We hope to have maybe four of the injured lads back on Saturday [to face Fulwood Amateurs Reserves] and so hopefully we can build momentum to face Milnthorpe the week after.

“Win that game and we’re back in the title race.”

Stoneclough brought a point home from a 1-1 draw at Askam United, with Jean Biansumba scoring a penalty.

In the Premier Division, Turton and Tempest United were both defeated on the road.

Tempest lost 4-1 at Garstang, who they play in the return fixture this Saturday, and the Tigers were beaten 2-1 by their hosts, Slyne With Hest.

Meanwhile, in the Manchester League, struggling Bolton County had a much-needed 2-1 win at home to Royton Town in the Premier Division, Jake Howells and Liam Stewart scoring, while Breightmet United won their Murray Trophy match 5-2 at home to Westbury Sports Club.

Gary McShane hit two goals, with Andrei Dragusin, Osman Karakan and Aiden McNamara also netting.