Knutsford 3-1 Crewe FC

NEWCOMER Ben Brooks scored twice as Knutsford came from behind on Saturday to extend a winning sequence to five matches in the Cheshire League’s top-flight.

The attacker has scored half-a-dozen goals in that sequence, leaving Scott Dignan’s men four points clear at the Premier Division summit ahead of a visit to Manchester Road from Rudheath Social on Tuesday, kick-off 6.15pm.

Reds had to earn maximum points though.

They fell behind on 52 minutes when Crewe front man Nathan Southern expertly executed a lob over goalkeeper Sam Moore.

It jolted Scott Dignan’s men, and Brooks brought the best from custodian Arran Lyons.

The visitors’ number one repeated the trick when the two came face-to-face shortly afterwards, although he could do nothing to stop Brooks’ glancing header – from David Owens’ curled pass – on the hour.

Knutsford took the lead when Phil Yuille’s free-kick from the right sneaked into the net without a decisive touch from another player.

Nehru McKenzie headed narrowly over from Ash Harrison’s cross, and the same combination almost produced a third goal when the latter stretched to make contact.

The points were made safe with five minutes left though when substitute Lee Mannion combined with Harrison and James Pickford before Brooks swept in smartly.

Knutsford had created better chances in the opening period, when Lyons denied Owens and Brooks’ header flashed wide.

However Crewe defended with discipline, and the opportunities the hosts did have were not clear-cut.

Harrison went close from Nehru’s lofted pass, while Owens fired off-target midway through the half.

Nehru arced a left-footed attempt around an upright after captain Steve Jenyons had surged forward out of defence, while the visitors only forced Moore to make a save shortly before the interval.

Knutsford | Moore (GK), Hare, Jenyons, Brotherton, Lynch (Smart 87), Yuille, Nehru, Pickford, Owens (Mannion 76), Harrison, Brooks Subs not used Beattie, Dignan