A first-half goal from Nicky Platt gave Nantwich Town an impressive 1-0 win over promotion-chasing Curzon Ashton at the Tameside Stadium, writes Richard Scott.
The goal came on 41 minutes with Platt turning in a Liam Shotton cross for his first goal since his return to the Weaver Stadium.
Platt was back in the starting 11 and Mat Bailey also returned as Phil Parkinson’s men looked to make it back to back league wins.
Sean Cooke had the first chance at goal as Shotton won a flick down in his path, but the former Telford man shot straight at Haken Burton.
Curzon’s Joe Guest went close but his shot was parried by Terry Smith for a corner.
PJ Hudson’s chip almost caught the back-pedalling keeper off guard but he was able to catch the ball.
Platt was next to have a go as a corner bounced around the area. It fell to the midfielder, but his half volley was inches wide.
Burton denied Platt again on 26 minutes from 20 yards out.
From the corner, Dabbers skipper Mark Jones had a shot cleared off the line.
Shotton should have scored on 31 minutes when he turned into the area from a Platt pass but he fired wide.
Nantwich continued to play the best football, with Shotton again going close, shooting straight at the Nash keeper.
The visitors finally turned the dominance into a goal on 41 minutes.
Shotton won the ball off a defender and crossed to Platt who made no mistake to open his account for the Dabbers.
Niall Cummins could have made it 1-1 with a volley on 44 minutes, but it was well saved by Smith.
After the break, Cummins was denied by Smith again before PJ Hudson wasted a chance to give Nantwich a two-goal lead.
The Dabbers continued to impress on the ball, with Hudson, Cooke and Andy White combining well.
Matty Kosylo was also a constant threat to the Curzon back four.
But Smith had to be on hand to deny Guest twice as he ran through at an acute angle.
The hosts then hit the bar from a corner as they started to put the pressure on.
Shotton could have made it 2-0 when he beat the offside trap and ran through but shot over the bar.
The Nantwich back line worked hard to keep the wave after wave of Curzon attacks at bay.
On 72 minutes, Cooke went close as he burst into the area but shot just over the bar.
Shotton was subbed for Harry Clayton in the final 15 minutes, the change brought new life to the Dabbers as they looked to go for the second goal.
Kosylo could have added a second when he burst through, with Brown tugging at his shirt. His effort went over.
Cooke saw an effort whistle just wide of the post, before Nash captain Sam Walker went close from a free kick which went wide of Smith’s post.
On the final few minutes, Curzon camped in Nantwich’s half, but time and again the defence stood strong to clear and secure a valuable three points.
Nantwich move up to 18th in the Evo-Stik Premier League. They welcome local rivals Witton Albion to the Weaver Stadium tomorrow (Easter Monday).
Nantwich Town: Smith, M.Jones (C), White, Bailey, Harrison, Osborne, Hudson, Platt, Shotton, Cooke and Kosylo. Subs: Clayton (On for Shotton, 72 minutes), Winslade (On for Kosylo, 80 minutes), Moran and Hartley.
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