AFTER a draw last week at home, Neston were looking to capitalise at Wigan, bag three points and get back on track in the league.

It was clear from the outset which was the stronger side, with Captain Richard Lowry being left to play in the Wigan sand pit for the majority of the first half, writes Harry Bush.

Constant attacks from Neston early on lead to Steve Halfhead claiming the first goal of the match. 1-0.

Several short corners followed and Wigan rarely had a look in the Neston dee.

With Tom Thorne, Ollie Mills and Ash Davies poaching up front the Wigan defenders were struggling to connect passes with each other on the pitch.

Matty Newall (aided by Pete Glasman's paternal wisdom and discipline) was relentless in closing down the Wigan midfield.

This commitment and constant counter attacks from Joe Roberts & Jack Redhead lead to Ollie Mills making sure Neston got a goal to show for it.

Half-time came and Neston were reminded by Coach Aldred how they must relax in the attacking half, play passing hockey and not focus on the outcome.

Ten minutes in to the second half Wigan adopted a different strategy to the game and your correspondent Harry Bush felt the force of a hockey stick to the chin.

With Bush on the floor and the incident in full view of the Umpire, the only card coming out of his pocket was red.

Wigan's midfielder was asked to leave the pitch and Neston looked forward to a second half of hockey against ten tiring men.

The back four of Joel Hennel-Neally, Andy Heath, Dorian Proudfoot and Phil Connolly kept the ball moving and gaps were opening higher up the pitch.

This lead to Ash Davis picking the ball up on the 25-metre line, cruising past the Wigan defender and dispatching the ball on his reverse round the diving Wigan keeper.

Neston's attacking mindset was in full flow and a run of Penalty Corners followed as a result.

Tom Smith was unlucky not to convert with the Wigan keeper making a diving stick save.

Another penalty corner breakdown lead to Steve Halfhead putting the ball in the goal from close range.

Penalty corner specialist Phil Connelly was then called in to launch a ball in to the goal, he successfully did this low and very hard.

With five minutes left on the clock, Neston got complacent and at moments held on to the ball for too long.

After Wigan won a penalty corner, the ball ended up in the back of the net and Neston lost their clean sheet.

Neston were clearly the deserved winners and although they could have put more past Wigan they will be pleased to get back to winning ways.

eston are seeking to gain three more points on Saturday as they take on local rivals Bebington at Neston Cricket Club at 1.30pm.