IN the North West Counties League's second division Bacup notched a 1-0 win at local rivals Nelson.

Promotion hopefuls Bacup grabbed an early goal when the Blues failed to clear a free kick and Micky Bartholomew scored at the far post to give the visitors the lead after nine minutes.

In the second half the Blues started well but had to heed a warning when Dave Gray struck the Nelson post with a shot.

On the hour it was Bacup's turn to ride their luck when Paul Sconce's header slipped from the grasp of Tommy Allen but came back to the keeper off the post.