FLEETWOOD TOWN 3 HINCKLEY UNITED 1

By ANDY GIBBS at HIGHBURY

UNITED'S demanding schedule of four away games in 11 days came to an end as the home side maintained their position at the top of the table with their sixth successive victory.

The outcome was fair enough, it was a pretty even first half, but Fleetwood’s second goal to restore their lead on the stroke of half-time was the game’s crucial moment and once they fell behind a second time, the Knitters didn’t look like salvaging anything against an experienced home side.

Fielding a side unchanged from the one that defeated Gloucester City in midweek, United couldn’t have made a worse start as they fell behind with barely a minute played. Keeper Craig Dootson caught a Neil Cartwright cross and immediately bowled out a pass to Sean Clancy on the left flank to set Town on the attack, Clancy played a good one-two on the edge of the area before delivering a low cross that Adam WARLOW buried.

To their credit, United responded well, Chukki Eribenne’s close range header was deflected wide for the first of three corners in quick succession before Andy Hall whipped a low ball across the face of the six yard box that Alex Taylor was a matter of inches away from converting. They levelled after 32 minutes, Hall floated a free kick into the box, Fleetwood couldn’t defend it and James MACE pounced to sweep the loose ball into the roof of the net – the defender’s second goal in as many games.

The end of the half saw drama aplenty at both ends. First Fleetwood’s Nathan Pond mis-kicked inside the six yard box when he seemed certain to score before they did get back in front in time added on, Jamie MULLAN got in behind United’s defence and unleashed a shot that beat Chris MacKenzie from the right hand edge of the area.

There was still time for United to mount another attack before the break when Taylor went down under Shaun Beeley’s challenge in the box, but referee Greenhalgh waved away Hinckley’s claims for a spot kick.

Fleetwood made a change at half-time with Jamie Milligan replacing Alan Wright, his experience helped the home side get on top after the break and although they didn’t carve out too many clear-cut chances, the home side always held the greater attacking threat. They gave themselves a two goal cushion ten minutes after the interval, a succession of crisp, accurate passes with Milligan and Clancy heavily involved ended when Nick ROGAN was played into the box and he made no mistake from close range.

There was no way back for United now, hard as they battled they rarely threatened, Hall coming closest when he charged down a clearance on halfway and was left with a run at goal, but he took a heavy touch at a vital time and Dootson raced from his line to block and Hinckley’s fate was sealed.

HINCKLEY UNITED: MacKenzie, Mace, Cartwright (Collins), Dillon, Lister, Franklin, Hall, Gooding, West, Eribenne, Taylor.

Subs not used: Newton, Hamilton, Roberts