GATE: Taylor, Chambers (C), Thomas, Lever, Squires, Welsh, Mekkaoui-Abouzaid, Harries, Edokpayi, Ing, Da Silva
SUBS: Scot, Sherra, Riley, Schryburt, Forshaw

Squires Gate extended their unbeaten run to nine games, after beating Nelson in a top of the table clash.

Three goals in the last 14 minutes of the game were enough to break the best defence in the league late on, in only their third loss of the season.

Gate had been 2-0 down up until the 80th minute but moments of individual brilliance from Vani Da Silva and a brace from Dean Ing overturned the deficit.

In a competitive opening to the match, Squires Gate went close early on through the inform Christian Edokpayi whose left-footed effort was scuffed wide of the target, as the ball fell into his path from a Dean Ing deflected attempt.

The deadlock was broken by the Admirals on the 18-minute mark, as a long pass sailed over the heads of the Gate backline and into the path of Max Cane who dinked the bouncing ball over the onrushing Josh Taylor.

Max Cane would score his 13th goal of the season just five minutes later, as an unfortunate slip from Jacob Lever left space for Jack Doherty to play in the Nelson number 10, who dispatched with aplomb to double the hosts’ lead.

The goalscorer almost turned provider with 15 minutes of the first half to play, as he played in Doherty who cut inside onto his left foot but was unable to pass Josh Taylor in between the sticks.

Cane continued to prove a threat down the right-hand side for the Blues, almost sealing a first half hat-trick as his final effort of the 45’ was dragged wide of the goal.  Gate, in their red away strip, enjoyed more joy as the second half got underway, with Scott Harries and Dean Ing linking up well to fashion a chance which the latter fired over the bar.

Luke Evans’ side enjoyed more territory and possession as the game grew old, with changes from the bench making a significant impact.

Gate struck one back with ten left on the clock through a low drilled effort from Da Silva, which snuck under Christopher Thompson in the Nelson goal.

Netting his fourth of the season, Da Silva reduced the deficit to just one goal, to set up a blockbuster end to the game.

The reds continued to sustain the pressure on the Nelson goal as substitute Jake Forshaw called the goalkeeper into action late on.

Approaching the last minute of stoppage time and Forshaw was involved again, as he burst down the left wing before playing the ball across to Ing in the middle, who finished emphatically to draw the away side level in the game.

In the dying moments of the game, Da Silva danced down the line past several men before clipping a beautifully weighted cross to the back post, where Ing was again on hand to nod home his 15th goal of the season and put Gate 3-2 up.

In an end-to-end finish to the game, it was Nelson’s chance to respond with the last chance of the game, as a free kick came within inches of levelling the game up, only to be denied by the bar of Taylor’s goal.

The victory means Squires Gate have now won four out of the five past league games, making them the most prolific side in the league at present.

The result comes as the second incredible comeback in the space of five days for Luke Evans’ side, who now move into 2nd place of the First Division North, level on points with leaders Thornton-Cleveleys.

A return to the Skiddle Community Stadium will be the order of play for Squires Gate this Saturday, as they face Colne in a 3pm encounter.