After surging up the table on the back of some exhilarating football Heys came unstuck against their fifth placed hosts who extended their own good run of form with a goal in each half on an afternoon when Prestwich’s play lacked often lacked the pace and verve of recent weeks.

On a cold, blustery day Heys started brightly carving out the first chance of the game after eight minutes when Liam Healey fired over the bar.

Three minutes later, Healey was involved again, finding Alfie Belcher with a great ball but Liverpool keeper Lee Carr made a great save shot tipping the latter’s round the post for a corner.

Liverpool sprang into action in the 17th minute and Heys keeper Mike Smith continued his recent good form by tipping round the post from an Anthony Lyons shot that was heading into the bottom right.

Will Shawcross and Belcher both then went close with efforts for Heys.

However, the home side took the lead on 27 minutes when after a misplaced pass from Chris Baguley was intercepted, Jay McGrane’s shot goal wards was saved well low down by Smith, but the ball came back out to Anthony Lyons who smashed in the rebound from close range.

Heys responded quickly and captain Jacob Wood broke free to lash one into the net three minutes later only for the linesman to give offside.

The visitors continued to look the more enterprising and Man of the Match, Belcher and Grimshaw both tested the home goal as Heys went in behind at the break but hopeful of turning it around.

Unfortunately, the second half was to prove a frustrating affair. Heys looked to play it neat and tidy from the back to the middle, but without using the wide men which has proved so successful on many occasions this season, they made little headway.

Indeed, Heys fate was effectively sealed in the 62nd minute when a super header from Callum Schorah looped over the stranded Smith and into the net for a second goal to the home side.

Schorah then twice went close, toe poking wide before forcing Smith to save low as the hosts looked to take the game well and truly away from Heys

It was only late in the game when New signing Corey Knight came on with ten minutes to go and with fellow sub Rio Wilson Heyes started to give Heys an attacking threat with a couple of chances but the Liverpool back four stood resolute to cement victory.

So Heys could not further extend the unbeaten run but still have an excellent chance of a top four finish and take on Shelley at Adie Moran Park this Saturday 19 January when they hope to get back on track.

TEAM: Michael Smith, Darius Photiou, Carl Fitton, Liam Healey, Jacob Holt, Jake Wood (Captain), Alfie Belcher, Jamie Baguley, Lee Grimshaw, Chris Baguley, Will Shawcross Subs: Rio Wilson-Heyes (for Healey 63 mins), Brad Sixsmith (for J. Baguley 65 mins), Cory Knight (for Grimshaw 80 mins), Sven Gibson, Danny White