For the second time in four days Prestwich Heys went head-to-head with League leaders Wythenshawe on Tuesday night and emerged with great credit despite a 2-1 defeat at Adie Moran Park.

After a hard fought 1-1 draw in South Manchester on Saturday, this game proved similarly competitive as Ryan Hutchinson’s side went toe to toe with a side that has largely swept all before them in the past couple of months to open up a twelve-point lead at the top of the table.

Heys went into the game with several players ruled out including the influential figure of Rob Worrall and their three first choice centre halves in the Badrock brothers and Alistair Bracken.

The reshuffled back line soon found themselves under pressure as Wythenshawe set off at a cracking pace and they took the lead in the third minute. A long ball forward saw Joel Ankers, who appeared a good three yards offside, go through to round Heys keeper Kyle Haslam to slot home.

The pace and movement of the visitors was causing real problems, and they went close to a second goal in the 7th minute when a low cross along the six-yard box found Ankers, but Haslam smothered superbly at close range.

Heys gradually began to find their feet to enjoy a little spell of their own, forcing a corner but the threat continued from the away side with some scrambling defence preventing a second goal.

Samuel Adewusi fired a shot just over on the half hour for Wythenshawe, but Heys looked to be building momentum and finding a foothold in the game and two minutes later they levelled matters.

From a free kick on the left Luke Mann drilled a ball to the far post and Louis Holt stooped to head home from close range.

Buoyed by their goal Heys opened up the visitors’ defence again three minutes later but Takura Sambizi’s shot just cleared the crossbar.

Heys looked to be in the ascendancy but in the 38th minute they found themselves behind once again. A long ball that should have been headed clear wasn’t dealt with and put the home defence on the back foot and when William Calligan drilled the ball across goal Bryan Ly was unmarked to fire home.

Wythenshawe were arguably worth their lead at the break, but it was clear Heys were still very much in the game and they looked to assert themselves on the restart with Holt proving a real handful.

With the next goal crucial to the outcome of the game the match continued to be played at a crackling pace, but both defences were on top of their games to prevent any real chances for either side.

Indeed, it was not until the 70th minute that the first shot of note arrived with the visitors Darius Palma putting in an effort that was comfortably dealt with by Haslam.

Heys rang the changes utilising all their five substitutes to freshen things up in a relentlessly competitive match. A good chance came their way in the 75th minute when the ball dropped invitingly in the box, from a free kick, but Luke Findlow sliced wide from twelve yards out.

With the visitors retreating, Heys continued to press in an absorbing contest between two hugely committed sides with the tackles flying in from both teams.

Ultimately, it was Wythenshawe who were to prevail to put themselves in a strong position at the top of the table.

Heys gave as good as they got throughout and they can take much from this game and last Saturday’s draw as they head into the final third of the season.

TEAM: Kyle Haslam, Joe Camozzi, Louie Hutchinson, Josh Tinker, Luke Findlow, Nicholas Dre Taylor (Capt.), Bryson Appleton, Luke Mann, Louis Holt, Luke Byron, Takura Sambizi, Subs: Alfie Belcher (for Mann 76 mins), Jace Osborne (for Hutchinson 71 mins), Lucas Bancroft (for Taylor 82 mins), Reece Lascelles-Higgins (for Camozzi 71 mins), David Kerrigan (for Appleton 82 mins)

Heys host Irlam on Saturday (3pm) before Euxton Villa visit Adie Moran Park next Tuesday (7.45pm)