A brace of high quality first half strikes from Preston winger Alicia Scott contributed to Workington Town Women’s 3-0 loss in Lancashire.
A further well taken second half strike from Grace Flinn, secured second spot in the North West Women’s Regional Division One North league table for the Lilly Whites.
The game was mainly played out with middle of the park battles and sandwiched between two impressive defensive shifts from both home and away sides alike.
As a result, any clear-cut chances were very hard to come by with both teams creativity being hampered in either half by a strong wind and damp conditions which meant the ball was difficult to control at times.
Scott put North End in front in the 11th minute as she let the ball roll across her before firing over keeper Laura Miller, giving her little chance of saving.
Sarah Smith came close to equalising on the half hour mark after good work from Olivia Beattie had put her in behind the home defence.
The home keeper Mischa Turner was off her line quickly to close but Smith was able to loft the ball over her but it finished just past the outside of the post.
The home side went further ahead in the 38th minute when Scott came inside looking for work and collected a loose ball 25 yards out.
Clearly favouring her right foot, Scott shifted to find space before striking a dinked effort which climbed over the outstretched reach of Miller’s arm and into the back of the net.
A strike from Beattie from distance tested the hands of Turner as the half was drawing to a close and she was further tested initially after Smith had applied pressure on a through ball.
It caused the ball to spill to Morgan McGrady who was unable to take advantage and then a strike from distance by Cassie Donald had Turner scrambling to save at the second attempt.
Smith went close again within five minutes of the second half after Chloe Little’s intelligent delivery found McGrady in behind on the right.
The ensuing ball into the middle found Smithy, but Turner was positioned well and scrambled a save.
Keeley Chatters climbed well to connect on a Linzi Donaldson free kick from the right on the hour mark but was unable to keep her effort on target.
The game was effectively sealed with a little over 20 minutes remaining when Flinn was found on the edge of the area before she drilled the ball home with purpose past the outstretched leg of Miller.
Chatters nearly became provider with around ten minutes remaining, when her cross field delivery fell to Nat Broad on the back post.
The striker’s effort climbed agonisingly over the cross bar.
Cassie Donald continued her spell of good form as she collected the Player of the Game award for the visitors for her industry and threat in the middle of the park.
After the game, assistant manager Paul Morgan said: “We were done by three very good goals which you have to applaud, but the result was hard on our lasses.
“It wasn’t a one-sided game that the score line might suggest. We will dust ourselves off and go again next weekend looking to make up for this disappointment.
“We’ve got three games coming up before a mini break so we will be looking to take maximum points from these fixtures.”
