Nelson 3 Formby 4

NELSON crashed to a disastrous defeat at the hands of Formby to hinder their chances of promotion from FNWTL Division Two.

The second-placed Blues have Woodley Sports hot on their heels and either side -- along with outside chance Darwen -- could join leaders Curzon Ashton in Division One next season. Woodley are two points behind Nelson but with three games in hand.

But John Bailey's side threw this game away after leading 3-1 just before the interval.

Mark Robinson gave them the lead with a solo goal on 29 minutes tucking the ball under the advancing keeper. Three minutes later however, the home defence was stretched as a diagonal ball found Formby centre forward Ged Walters in space and his cross-cum-shot beat Simon Burrows for the equaliser.

The Blues restored their lead on 40 minutes when Leon Barnett set up the chance for Jonathan Irvine to beat the keeper with a close-range shot.

Two minutes later Mark Robinson took advantage of hesitancy in the visitors defence to sprint clear and slot home the third Nelson goal and the Blues looked on course for a home win.

In the final minute of the first half however, they allowed Tony Millar time and space to pull a second goal back for Formby to give the visitors renewed hope with a half time score of 3-2.

Despite starting the second half positively, Nelson conceded a soft goal on 58 minutes when Ged Walters cashed in on defensive blunders to slot home the equaliser into the empty net.

Formby's winner was a quality goal when Mick Bourne's run took him to the by-line and his low cross was knocked home by Peter Pringle with the Blues defence looking on.

An air of disappointment hung over Victoria Park as the chance of promotion may have slipped away with this game.