In a hugely entertaining game of tight margins, it was a little bit of extra quality in key moments that swung the game the visitor’s way, this victory keeping them within two points of League leaders Macclesfield, whom Heys defeated at the turn of the year.

This performance by Matt Barnes side arguably dispelled any notions that their victory over The Silkmen was a fluke. Heys are now looking like a side that can go toe to toe with anyone. There would have been few complaints had they come away with a point such was their contribution to the game.

The opening exchanges were fast and furious as both sides looked to make an impression. The first opportunity came Heys way when from a Joe Rothwell corner, Greg Daniels fired in a low shot that was gathered by Skem keeper Ben Barnes.

The visitors responded with a break down the right and when the cross was delivered Tom Croughan flashed his header wide.

Next, it was Heys to threaten. Daniels quick free kick put Coop in space, who lifted the ball over the advancing Barnes but also wide of the post.

Skelmersdale began to show signs of gaining the upper hand, the division’s top scorers, their lively forwards suddenly started to buzz around the Heys goal. Elliott Morris flashed a free header wide, but he was to find the target in the 27th minute.

The visitors opened the Heys defence and Heys keeper Tom Simpson did well to keep out a fierce Danny Mitchley shot that proved to hot to hold, the ball breaking to Morris to fire home.

Heys looked for a quick reply with Daniels breaking into the box only to see his effort blocked but the ball broke to Coop whose shot flew wide.

The Heys striker has a further opportunity in the 38th minute when Lee Knight played him in, but his angled shot was held low by Barnes.
Michael Howard should have increased his sides lead two minutes later as Heys defence was carved open, but from close range, with just Simpson in front of him, he fired wide.

An encouraging half for Heys ended with Corey Kelly curling a free kick wide. The half time talk was whether could Heys turn the fine margins their way.

Within four minutes of the restart Heys looked to have found the answer. A high ball into the box was hooked on by Daniels and Knight was quick to react, showing great dexterity to lift the ball from ten yards over Barnes and into the net.

The hosts now had the bit between their teeth. A last-ditch tackle thwarted Coop and then Daniels broke into the box before curling a shot wide.

Skem rode the storm and on the hour replied by taking the lead. Their busy forwards hunted down Ben Hampson, dispossessing the Heys defender. Simpson did well to save from Howard, but in a carbon copy of the first half, the ball rebounded out to Morris to slot home.

Heys sprit was not dimmed. Daniels surged from halfway into the box to force a fine save from Barnes and then a similar run by Joe Rothwell was ended by the outstretched leg of the keeper and a scrambled clearance.

However, in the 73rd minute Skelmersdale struck again. There seemed little danger when Lloyd Ellams picked up the ball some 25 yards from goal but with space in front of him, he tried a shot that looked to be going wide but somehow ended up in the net with Simpson as seemingly deceived as everyone.

Heys went back onto the attack. Coop saw a shot deflected wide before justifiable claims for a penalty were refused when Lee Grimshaw appeared to be hit from behind.

The Heys striker did find the net however in in injury time, bustling his way into the box to shoot into the far corner. The goal gave the score line the respectability their performance merited but there was to be no comeback as Skelmersdale, as they had at key points all afternoon, had what it took to see it through.

TEAM: Tom Simspon, Joe Rothwell, Anthony Potts, Brad Sixsmith (Capt.), Ben Hampson, Josh Dicken, Lee Knight, Corey Kelly, Jack Coop, Greg Daniels, Regan Jarrett Subs: Sam Dickinson (for Kelly 64 mins), Russell Saunders, Bailey Dawes, Lee Grimshaw (for 73 mins), Shaun Airey (for Jarrett 57 mins)