IN conditions manager Dave McNabb described as “dreadful,” Rylands made it a magnificent seven victories in a row on Saturday.

For the second time, Skelmersdale United fell victim to a winning run that has catapulted Blues into the box seat for a promotion spot in the North West Counties League Premier Division.

Andy Scarisbrick had given them a half-time lead but they had to wait until Kane Drummond struck in the late stages to be sure of the points.

“We could perhaps have put the game to bed a little bit sooner,” McNabb said.

“We had a couple of good chances in the first half and a couple more in the second.

“We played the conditions really well in the first half. The wind was against us but we were solid, stayed tight as a unit and then got the goal.

“We were a little bit more expansive in the second half and played some good football at times.

“It took a while for the second goal to come but we got there in the end and that’s all that matters.”

As Storm Dennis lashed Gorsey Lane before, during and after the match, it is credit to the Rylands staff behind the scenes that the game was played at all.

It was the only game played in their division on the day and even though the wind was in their faces, Blues were the dominant side before the break.

Scarisbrick – the game’s stand-out performer after a superb display in midfield – broke things open midway through the half, lashing in low at the near post after Stuart Crilly’s shot was deflected into his path.

Skelmersdale keeper Ben Barnes made several excellent saves before the break to keep his side in it and then after it, Blues opened up.

Despite the pitch cutting up, they continued to play on the floor and created several chances to finish their visitors off.

However, it was not until Drummond was sent scorching through the middle to allow him to round Barnes and finish from a tight angle that the game was put to bed.

Blues stopper Mike Emery was not without action himself – he was forced to tip over a rasping effort in the first half before making a crucial save from Richard Brodie in the second.

“The conditions, quite frankly, were dreadful with the wind and rain but the lads have applied themselves really well,” McNabb said.

“We’ve come away with the win and the clean sheet and apart from one chance, I don’t think they really looked like scoring.

“We had to adapt in the first half. There was no way you could kick a ball 30-40 yards without it coming back at you.

“We had to try and play out low and into feet, but that’s how we try to play anyway.

“It’s not always possible – we’re not Barcelona or Manchester City.

“Sometimes you have to adapt your game and we did that superbly in the first half.

“That’s probably what won us the game – the application as a defensive unit and getting that important goal.”

The win allowed Blues to jump to second in the division, five points behind leaders 1874 Northwich having played two games more.

Third-place Bootle also have games in hand on them but crucially, Blues have played equal or fewer games to most of those aiming to snatch their play-off spot.

Litherland REMYCA – the division’s bottom side – are the visitors to Gorsey Lane for their next fixture on Saturday, kick off 3pm.