Ossett Albion...... 2 Kendal Town..3 INFLUENTIAL skipper Kenny Mayers returned from suspension to guide his side to another important three points.

The captain's startling display was one of several impressive performances in the Town line-up which brought together a new central defensive partnership in David Woodruffe and Paul McMenemy.

Both players were nothing short of outstanding at the heart of the defence in the absence of the injured Nigel Taylor and the suspended Dene Whittal-Williams.

Kendal almost fell behind in what would have been somewhat bizzare circumstances when in attempting to deal with a Steve Downes cross from the right, full back Russ McKenna inadvertently directed the ball towards his own goal.

And it required a piece of good fortune to deny the hosts an early breakthrough as the rooted keeper Mark Thornley looked on to see the ball strike the inside of the upright and roll dangerously across the face of goal.

Midway through the half it was Kendal's turn to be denied by the woodwork. This time it was a self-made goal-scoring opportunity as Ricky Mercer's 20-yard shot beat Ossett keeper Andy Carney only to strike the foot of the post.

Two minutes later, Kendal were in front through a David Foster strike.The elusive Ged Smith forged down the left and was able to find the perfect square ball for Foster to run on to and place beyond Carney.

The first of two contentious penalties awarded to the home side then followed 10 minutes from the half-time whistle.

Kendal keeper Thornley seemingly jumped fairly alongside Ossett striker Danny Toronczak to punch clear. However, match referee Mr C. J. Cooper suprised everyone by inexplicably pointing to the spot.

The Yorkshire side's leading scorer, Toronczak, stepped up to level the scores.

Things appeared to be going against Kendal 10 minutes into the second half when another hugely debatable penalty was awarded against them.

Woodruffe was in the process of comfortably dealing with the attentions of Toronczak when he received a push from behind, forcing him to make contact with the ball in the upper body region.

However, on this occasion it was the assistant referee who intervened and, much to the dismay of the Kendal camp, signalled a handling offence.

That allowed Toronczak the opportunity to put his side ahead and he made no mistake.

Kendal controlled their understandable frustrations well and they were lifted on 62 minutes when Mayers produced a powerful header past Carney to level the scores following excellent work again from Smith.

Ossett's centre-half Sean Hazledon came close with a header on 70 minutes, but Mayers ensured the three precious points six minutes from time with a crisp drive which flew into the top corner, much to the delight of the encouraging number of travelling supporters.

How they rated: Thornley 8, Rigby 8, McKenna 8; Woodruffe 8, McMenemy 8, Mercer 8, Clitheroe 7, Ashcroft 8, Foster 8, Mayers 9, Smith 8. Subs: Bennett (Clitheroe 77min) 7, Cliff, Jack.

Attendance: 109.