A stunning 89th Jamie Hill strike clinched a hard-earned but ultimately deserved victory for Prestwich Heys at Nelson to continue their climb up the North West Counties League Division One North table.

The Heys winger, capped a Man of the Match performance with a goal right out of the top drawer. Breaking down the wing he cut inside, before quick feet saw him step inside two would be challengers, taking him into the box, where he then delivered a brilliant curling shot into the far top corner.

It was a fitting way to settle a contest that Heys grew into. After falling behind early on they fought back to lead by the interval and were the better team in the second period but despite numerous openings they were unable to put the game to bed.

Indeed, it took a stunning save from goalkeeper Russell Saunders in the 83rd minute to preserve their lead. From a free kick, floated into the box, Oliver Stirzaker headed goal wards, with the ball seemingly heading for the bottom corner, before the Heys keeper appeared from nowhere to tip the ball around the post.

It gave Heys the impetus to go on and complete a win that looked unlikely in the opening exchanges.

Although Hill went close with a shot in the second minute, it was the hosts who started the brighter with some slick football.

The lively Yves Zama, who had a spell at Heys back in 2011, proved a handful as he burst into the box before seeing his shot come off the face of the bar.

Quicker and more incisive, Nelson maintained the pressure and took the lead in the 10th minute. From a corner the ball was swung into the near post and Gareth Hill rose to head home.

The goal did spring Heys to life with Brad Sixsmith to the fore and they began to gain a foothold in the game leading to them levelling matters in the 23rd minute.

After successive corners Nelson cleared their lines but Heys reworked the ball swiftly back out to Sixsmith on the right, who delivered a superb cross which was met by a classic centre forward's header from Reece Lyndon, as the ball flew into the roof of the net, giving the keeper no chance.

Buoyed by the goal, Heys took the game to the hosts. Jacob Holt headed wide from a Will Shawcross free kick before the pressure told in the 38th minute.

Nathan Emery and Hill linked down the right and when the latter crossed it was turned in the net by a Nelson defender, under pressure from Sixsmith.

The home team response was positive however and Saunders had to drop sharply to hold a shot from Harvey McAdam at the foot of the post before then pushing a Hill shot to safety.

On the stroke of half time Zama glanced a header wide to enable Heys to go in at the interval a goal to the good.

On the restart, it was Heys who looked the sharper and it was Nelson keeper Ben Parkinson who was the first into action pushing a Shawcross shot wide.

After the openness of the first half the game was a tighter affair although it was Heys carrying the greater threat.

Cory Knight pulled a shot wide before the industrious Joe Rothwell saw a shot pushed round the post by Parkinson in the 75th minute.

From the ensuing corner, the ball broke to Hill, but the Nelson stopper got down well to push his shot to safety.

The home side had barely threatened but with only a one goal advantage Heys lead was a fragile one.

However, then came Saunders and Hill’s stunning late interventions to clinch the points and move Heys up to seventh in the table.

TEAM: Russell Saunders, Oliver Hatfield-Banton, Nathan Emery, Greg Wills, Adrian Bellamy, Jacob Holt (Capt.), Will Shawcross, Joe Rothwell, Reece Lyndon, Brad Sixsmith, Jamie Hill Subs: Jamie Sinnott, Cory Knight ( for Sixsmith 60 mins), Dominik Williams, Francesco Frangillo (for Lyndon 63 mins), Daniel Vinten (for Shawcross 80 mins)