It was another hugely disappointing day for Mersey Valley who suffered a third straight defeat after a Newton-le-Willows fightback in the second half.

Riley wins an early header

It was a nervy start by both teams on a hard pitch – Adams with the first chance but his weak header was straight at the keeper.

The visitors then went close from a free kick, the ball hitting the crossbar.

Mike Woolley put in a dangerous free kick that just missed Niall Goldrick’s back post run.

The visitors took the lead on 30 minutes. Adams and Roach both went for the same header and the ball found the Newton forward in the box who had so much time to find Walker who again was not put under any pressure and beat Cooke.

Johnson should have equalised immediately but fired over the bar and before the break Goldrick and Adams bot went close but failed to test the keeper.

HT: Mersey Valley 0 Newton-le-Willows 1

After some strong words at half-time the home side looked like they’d found their form, a corner from Mike Woolley set up two chances for Adams but both were cleared off the line.

Evans replaced Goldrick and should have scored with his first touch but fired the ball over the bar from inside the area.

The equaliser came on the hour. Evans with a long throw that was turned home by Roach for his third goal in the last four games.

Owen Adams brilliant header put Valley in front

Evans was involved again finding Riley on the left, his superb cross was magnificently headed home by Adams who timed his run to perfection – Valley had turned it around and looked in good shape the take the three points.

However, Newton had other ideas. A complete fluke got them back level, a cross from the right flew straight in over Cooke.

Fraine missed a glorious chance to restore the lead after another Evans long throw.

Then on 79 minutes the game turned on its head – Cooke making a poor decision to race out of his box but was beaten and the ball was played back into the area and finished off.

The keepers day got worse after he suffered a serious groin injury and the fame end in defeat.

FT: Mersey Valley 2 Newton-le-Willows 3