PILKINGTONS went into the game needing three points after gifting away five in their last two games.

Cheadle Town Reserves started the brightest but found it hard to break down the Pilks defence and nine minutes in Pilks should have took the lead when Graham Boylan failed to convert a penalty after being hauled down in the box.

Pilks struggled to get into their rhythm and there were fleeting moments of quality in the first half but not enough to take control of the game. However, with seven minutes remaining they went ahead when Luke Sephton’s pull back was converted neatly by Matty Taylor.

They had another chance in the last few minutes when Smailes was one-on-one with the defender at the edge of the six yard box but his weak shot was blocked and Pilks defensive frailties shown again as Cheadle broke away and equalised.

Pilks came out in the second half a different side and blew Cheadle away in 20 scintillating minutes.

In the 52nd minute, Danny Hughes’ free kick was met by Andy Alston to give Pilks the lead.

Then five minutes later, Boylan extended their lead before Smailes made it 4-1 on the hour mark.

With Pilks thinking the contest was over they made a few changes but they found themselves conceding two late goals again in the final few minutes.

This time though they managed to hang on to grab the points.