Barnoldswick Town earned their first win of the season as they beat unbeaten leaders Stockport Sports 3-0 on their 3G pitch on Saturday.
Town started the better, with Aaron Hollindrake prominent before being forced off injured after 17 minutes.
He headed Kieran Lee’s cross just wide, before slipping Samuel Howell through on goal, but he shot straight at keeper Daniel Taberner.
Hollindrake then cleverly beat Warren Gaskin before passing to Neil Chapman, whose shot was blocked, and from the rebound, Hollindrake curled his shot just wide of the far post.
Kieran Lee drilled a left foot shot towards Taberner who beat it away,while at the other end, Stockport captain Ricky Anane beat Danny Morton but fired wide.
Town took the lead after 28 minutes, as Morton cut inside a defender and fired a magnificent shot into the far top corner leaving Taberner clawing at fresh air as he dived in vain.
Morton almost added a second as his shot from the edge of the area was tipped over.
Just before the break, the hosts’ frustration boiled over as Warren Gaskin’s lunging tackle ended Howell’s match, only earning a yellow card.
While the referee was booking Gaskin, another unsavoury incident saw Stockport centre forward Robert Kinsella sent off.
Town made them pay as they added a second before half-time, as a free kick was cleared to Chapman, who hit an absolute screamer with his left foot past Taberner.
Town added a third goal four minutes into the second half, as a corner was half cleared to Kieran Lee, and his shot was cleared off the line, only for Callum Smith to gleefully ram the ball home.
Town deserved more goals for their movement and running off the ball, but a brilliant performance sets them up for their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie at Tyne and Wear-based Northern League First Division side Hebburn Town tomorrow.