A fluctuating encounter at Hurst Cross saw North West Counties outfit Droylsden get the better of their higher league hosts on a night of unseasonably wild weather.

The Robins had restored Scott Holding, Darius Osei and Mikey O'Neill to their starting line up as the action started amidst sheeting rain and a very strong wind and it was O'Neill with the first sighter which went past the post from James Hardy's pass.

On 14 minutes Josh Doherty's overlapping cross was sidefooted just past the near post by Osei and at the other end a good low effort by Sam Oliver needed to be pushed away for a corner by Jordan Eastham.

Soon afterwards a quick break out of their own half saw the visitors ahead as Nellson Van's pass released Kyle Campbell whose shot went underneath Eastham and in off the post.

Four minutes later it was 0-2 as Campbell was released again and despite looking possibly offside provided a tap in for Cody Artwell at the far post.

The burst of scoring then saw Ashton pull a goal back as Osei and Alex Byrne combined for the latter to provide the cross which O'Neill volleyed home close in and Artwell could have extended the Bloods' lead as he raced clean through only to knock the ball too close to Eastham.

Ten minutes into the second half the livewire Campbell outpaced Doherty before finding Van totally unmarked and with plenty of time to pick his spot for number three but ten further minutes on a short corner routine saw Byrne's delivery flicked home by the head of Osei to reduce the deficit again.

The Robins then saw a corner headed away from the near post before Hardy won a free kick which Byrne put disappointingly over the top and with even Eastham joining the attack a final scramble ended with Cogill steering well over.

Att: 454

Team: Eastham, Holding (Gilchrist 46), Doherty (Denton 86), Newton, White, Cogill, Byrne, Rowe, O'Neill (Knight 79), Osei, Hardy. SNU: Smith, Chmiel.