ACCRINGTON’S late penalty was a mere consolation as Sean Haslam’s brace and a first Prestwich goal for Jack Coyle gave Lee Metcalfe’s men another three points with their race for the Championship entering the final straight.
With a backdrop of the League Two clash between Accrington Stanley and Rochdale just a few metres away and the unexpected support from a section of the traveling ‘Dale fans, Prestwich looked to gain revenge on the only side to beat them in the league so far this season.
Anthony Roberts sent an 11th minute chance over the bar following a good cross from Craig Howarth with striker Shaun Jackson seeing a long-ranger tipped over by the agile Ammies goalkeeper shortly after.
On the half-hour, Roberts turned provider with a low centre across the face of goal that was bundled over the line by a stumbling Sean Haslam under challenge from a desperate Accrington defender.
Jackson went close with a couple of half chances after the restart before Haslam’s strike from the rebound, following a drive by skipper Matty Lott, shaved the top of the crossbar.
But just five minutes later, a fine flowing Prestwich move brought about a second for the visitors as Jackson’s pinpoint cross was headed in to the bottom corner by Haslam.
A forced reshuffle with 20 minutes remaining saw the withdrawal of injured defender Paul Taylor with the introduction of forward Jack Coyle.
Accrington took advantage as Prestwich struggled with the positional alterations with a forward racing through to slam a shot past Mike Hudson in goal.
However, the home side’s joy was to be short lived as Roberts grabbed another assist, this time crossing low for sub Coyle to tap in unchallenged at the back post.
Craig Howarth’s long-range curler was heading straight in to the top corner but the Ammies ‘keeper got airborne again to divert the effort around the post.
With a couple of minutes remaining, the ref pointed to the spot for an apparent tug of a shirt by ‘left-back’ Paul McGovern and the resulting spot-kick was duly despatched sending Hudson the wrong way.
That final goal gave a somewhat twisted view of a game which was not quite as close as the 3-2 scoreline suggests but manager Metcalfe was content with the result and got all that he asked from his troops which was hard work and the three points.
PRESTWICH – Hudson, Hopkins, Barnes (McGovern), Lott, Steadman, Taylor (Coyle (1)), Howarth, Kosub, Haslam (2), Jackson, Roberts
• Prestwich entertain Oldham Hulmians in Division Two this Saturday. Kick-off at Heys Road is 2:30pm.
• Prestwich Reserves went back top of Division Six following their 4-2 win over Ashtonians Reserves at Drinkwater Park. Goals from Jonathan Adlington, Carlo Balsamo (2) and John Blezard sealed the points for Robbie Monetti’s side.
• Prestwich Sunday team moved up to fourth in the Bury Premier Division following a 4-1 win over Manchester Limos at Heys Road. Chris Hopkins ghosted in at the back post to notch his first Prestwich goal in 60 attempts to level Limos 15th minute opener.
Sean Haslam raced clear after the break to put the home side in front before good build-up play between Paul McGovern, Matty Lott and Joe Kosub gave Chris Crookes the chance to make the game safe.
McGovern’s late strike was the icing on the cake for Prestwich as Manager Pete Lorenzini’s late cameo appearance provided the comedy in the dying moments.
