By James Briscoe
Nantwich Town fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat away at FC United in a keenly fought contest at Bury’s Gigg Lane.
And it was failed attempt to play offside which was the Dabbers’ downfall, allowing Mike Norton to sneak in an snatch the winner.
The hosts were in control in the second period, but Nantwich were more than match for them before the break and can count themselves unlucky not to have been ahead.
United’s Callum Byrne had the first notable effort of the game on six minutes with a long ranger that whistled over Steve James’ right stanchion.
An Oliver Devenney corner was met at the near post by striker Steve Foster on seven minutes but his bundled effort was cleared.
Nantwich threatened again with Harry Clayton wriggling in to the area on 10 minutes but his lay off was intercepted.
Devenney profited from a quick turnover of possession deep in United territory on 14 minutes to cross to the back post for Aaron Burns (pictured) whose header back in to the danger zone was cleared.
Byrne’s second effort, from just outside the Nantwich box, tested James more than his earlier effort with the ‘keeper on loan from Preston forced to save at full stretch.
Nantwich’s Bailey was lucky on 25 minutes as he saw his defensive header fly narrowly wide of his own post.
Three minutes later, the lively Greaves sprung clear of the Nantwich defence to slot in the opener to the delight of the expectant home crowd.
After suffering a dangerous Tom Davies foul on 37 minutes, Burns slotted in the leveller a minute later after the resultant free-kick bounced to his feet.
Nantwich should have gone 2-1 up on 41 minutes after Burns rounded keeper Dave Carnell to square for Harry Clayton whose shot was cleared off the line.
Joe Fox blazed over on 48 minutes when he should have done better just inside the Nantwich area.
Only a few minutes later Byrne had an almost identical effort but he fired over too.
Then Norton swept past James on 53 minutes to make it 2-1 when it looked like the Dabbers’ defence had played him offside.
Harrop put in an inviting cross on 67 minutes but Bailey headed narrowly wide.
FC United fans endured a tense final 15 minutes remaining as Nantwich pressed for an equaliser.
Clayton was through on 86 minutes after a great ball by substitute Josh Eastwood but as he squared for Deegan the assistant referee flagged.
Peter Green robbed Lee Neville of the ball in stoppage time but luckily for FC United the ball reached Carnell in goal before the Nantwich substitute could make a telling touch.
Nantwich: Steve James, Andy Pearson, Andy White, Andy Keogh (Josh Eastwood 82), Alex Frost (c), Mat Bailey, Harry Clayton, Oliver Devenney, Aaron Burns (Peter Green 77), Steve Foster (Ben Deegan 58), Max Harrop. Subs: Earl Davis, Sam Wilson.
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