A GOAL just after half-time sank bottom-of-the-table Great Harwood but manager John Hughes admitted that it was the first game he had enjoyed since taking over as manager.

"I enjoyed it," said Hughes who took over from Denis Underwood last month. "For the first time since I took over the players put everything into it.

"Flixton have got some money pumping in now but they looked mediocre compared to us.

"Their chairman went up to Bill (Holden, the Harwood chairman) after the match and said 'you deserved to win'.

"But if you don't take your chances you don't deserve to win.

"Paul Walker has a long throw to get the ball into the box for Neil Baron to flick on but there was nobody coming in for the second ball."

On 54 minutes Flixton's Nathan Comley-Excel got on the end of a ball over the top and netted the only goal of the game.

"They knocked it over the top, got round the back and took their chance," said Hughes.

"But I was happy with the performance."

Hughes has made it clear to his players that they are playing for their places as the NWCL Division One side - who play their last game of the season at Clitheroe on Saturday - face up to the prospect of life in Division Two.

Their relegation fate will not be confirmed until it becomes clear which teams are coming up from Division Two and down for the UniBond League - but it looks grim for Harwood.

"They players understand the situation. If they put the effort in we'll get somewhere next year.

"I have told them I will bring players in. That is not a threat, if they take their chance they stay.

"At the moment they need me to get them to go out there and get a result but they should be able to do that on their own.

"I want them to go out on Saturday and enjoy that game like they did last night.

"Their heads have been up in the last few weeks, and some of them have got their belief back. Next year will be a different ball game."

GREAT HARWOOD...0 FLIXTON...1