WHITCHURCH Alport gave their supporters some festive cheer with a hard earned three points at a rain lashed Yockings Park with a 2-1 win over Skelmersdale United.

The win proved a perfect tonic ahead of the Monday afternoon clash against Hanley Town.

A goal in each half from Jud Ellis and Ryan Allcock were enough to secure a first league win of the season for Luke Goddard’s men – at the seventh time of asking.

The visitors levelled within a minute of the second-half resuming and hit the post late on but the Reds’ luck held firm long enough for the players to secure an elusive victory.

Goddard had to employ a somewhat makeshift back four with Lyndon Campbell deployed at right back and captain Sean Griffiths tucked in alongside Joe Minshall at centre back but save for the odd error, they defended stoically.

Skem spurned a glorious chance to take the lead after 25 minutes when a rare defensive lapse from Sean Griffiths allowed Emini Adegbenro to race clear but goalkeeper Lewis Dutton got enough of a glove onto the ball to take the sting out of the shot which allowed Joe Minshall to clear off his own goalline.

They were made to pay when the Reds went in front minutes later with Ellis finishing well with his left foot after goalkeeper Ben Barnes had parried away Allcock’s clever backheel effort.

A lack of communication moments after the whistle sounded, allowed Daniel Mitchley to get a shot off and despite Lyndon Campbell’s best efforts to keep the ball out, it squirmed over the line to bring United level.

But their joy didn’t last long as just before the hour the hosts regained the lead when Allcock latched onto a through ball from Dylan Bath to slot beyond Barnes to the delight of the Yockings faithful as Alport celebrated their first win of the season.

There was a heart in mouths moment though for the home supporters when Mitchley struck an upright with Dutton well beaten with a quarter of an hour remaining.

However Alport were not to be denied and held firm for glory.