SOUTHPORT side Hesketh Bank were visitors to Milnthorpe on Saturday and have been a bogy side in recent season with Corinthians not having beaten them since their own re-entry into the West Lancashire League.

Starting at a fast pace, the first chances fell to Corinthians, Darren Leather's shot hitting the crossbar from long range.

Although playing on a difficult surface, both teams prodced flowing football with Hesketh 's lively forwards keeping the home defence on its toes.

Corinthians grew stronger as the game progressed but could not afford to take too many liberties

It was no surprise when Corinthians pressure paid off as Lee Blamire's goalbound header was handled on the line.

The offending Hesketh player was sent off, but Corinthians nightmare of penalty misses continued when Craig Walmsley's spot-kick was well-saved by the keeper.

The second half started in much the same fashion with Corinthians pressing 10-man Hesketh back and the deadloock was broken when Hesketh failed to clear a corner and Leather fired the loose ball into the back of the net from close range.

Within a minute, Hesekth were back on level terms with an excellent stirke from the edge of the area beating the keeper.

Corinthians regained the lead with 20 minutes to go, Leather's pin-point cross finding the head of Blamire, who outjumped his marker to score from 10 yards out.

Milnthorpe extended their lead five minutes later as Gary Isles latched on to a through ball and ran on to place his shot under the diving keeper.

Corinthians should have made certain of victory soon afterwards with severla chances falling to Isles and Walmsley but the keeper was equal to their efforts.

Then with five minutes remaining, a defensive mistake by Corinthians left a Hesketh forward with a free shot at goal which he dispatched well to leave Corinthians to face a few shakey final minutes before celebrating a notable 3-2 victory.

The Reserves went to Thornton Cleveleys, fighting for points near the foot of the table, and lost 5-2 with their goals coming from Richard Barnwell and Kevin Howarth.