WALSHAW Sports put up a brave fight before going down 2-1 away at new Manchester League Premier Division leaders Pennington.

With the breeze and slope in their favour in the first half, Walshaw made a confident start and Lee Gaskell came closest to opening the scoring following a fine run, with a rasping shot that just cleared the bar before finding the keeper with a swerving free kick.

The home side only briefly made inroads, their danger man on the wing well marshalled by full-back Jack Leigh, while Sean Sherwood was strong in defence and keeper Bruno Silva looked assured. 

At the other end, a shot from Mike Whitehead crashed against the bar with the keeper nowhere near it.

The pressure was all from Walshaw, but half time arrived with the scores level.

Walshaw continued to press at the start of the second half but could not get the vital breakthrough. 

And a quick break from the home side, the Walshaw defence asking for offside, ended with a simple square ball and it was 1-0 to Pennington against the run of play.

The game was a much more equal affair after that but it was level when Richard Woodward scored a lovely goal, beating two men, sitting the keeper down on his backside, and firing into the roof of the net.

Walshaw now looked to push on and win the game and chances were made but none taken.

And again the home side broke away, and another simple square pass led to an easy goal.

Rick Winstanley earned the wrath of the referee and 10 minutes in the sin bin for arguing.

But despite being down to 10 men, Walshaw still managed opportunities and Gaskell volleyed straight at the keeper, a foot either side would surely have been the equaliser.

Josh Steadman struck the post from a half clearance but Walshaw could not find a second goal.