Garstang travelled knowing their hosts to be stubborn and determined, anything gained would have to be hard earned.
An early goal for Garstang helped ease the tension, another well worked corner, and Danny Whittaker converting high into the roof of the home goal after some good work in front of the 'keeper by Alan Coar.
Alan should have scored himself on his comeback game after surgery, but could only watch in anguish as his penalty kick flew high over the cross bar. The penalty was awarded after brother Ricky had rounded the 'keeper, who duly brought him down before he could shoot at goal. The referee's decision not to award a red card was difficult to explain. Indeed an early booking for Dave McEvoy and later a penalty awarded to Coppull after Killifin's foul was judged to have been inside the area and it looked like the visitors were going to be up against more than eleven opponents.
After Coppull had scored from their penalty to bring the scores level on the hour mark, they began to look more in control of this fixture. Garstang have proved time and again that possession in front of their two banks of four counts for nothing unless chances are taken. Once again, apart from a shot down to his right and the penalty, which he got a hand to, Neil 'Tiny' Beesley in the visitors goal had little to do but catch the occasional cross. So determined was the Garstang rearguard that the next goal of the game looked likely to be from the visitors. Dave Willoughby came on in an attempt to retain more possession higher up the pitch and soon made a difference. A delightful move resulted in a Willoughby shot from twelve yards which was saved onto the crossbar when it looked a certain goal.
A shot just over the bar from Ben Perry-Acton should have rung warning bells for the home side, who seemed unwilling to pick up runners from midfield and happy to let their back four deal with any Garstang advances.
This was to prove costly with three minutes remaining Danny Whittaker scored his second and the winner after being ruled onside after being a good five yards offside earlier in the move. The 'second phase' interpretation of the offside rule correctly adhered to by linesman and referee, much to the anger of the home side.
A yellow card for a disappointed Coppull player after he had kicked out at a visitor was the last incident in this hostile match.
With table toppers Blackpool Wren Rovers losing at home to Fulwood, the two goals from Whittaker bring Garstang level on points at the top of the West Lancashire Premier Division.
Team : Beesley, Killifin, G Wilson, Baker, Perry-Acton, McEvoy ,Whittaker, Fawcett, Cox, R Coar, A Coar. Subs Ireland, R Wilson, Willoughby