Billinge 0 Middlewich Town 1

SAME again this week, fellas.

That will be the message from Middlewich's management team to their players when League One leaders Billinge visit Seddon Street this Saturday, kick off 3pm.

James Dean's alertness settled the rivals' first meeting last weekend.

He was the quickest to react after the hosts' goalkeeper had parried Sam O'Sullivan's direct attempt from a free kick.

It was enough to send the Witches up to third in the table, two points adrift of second-placed Altrincham reserves with a game in hand.

Town rode their luck, with Billinge able to twice curse hitting the woodwork, but they spurned chances to score too.

In the first half, Callum Priestley dragged an effort off-target after running clear.

Alex Goodwin fired high, while Leon Robinson's shot flashed wide of an upright from O'Sullivan's set piece.

Robinson almost diverted a cross into his own goal at the other end, while custodian Charles Masters made a smart parry shortly afterwards.

The home team ought to have taken the lead, only to strike against a post after Middlewich defender had flicked the ball invitingly into an opponent's path.

Dean's breakthrough goal quickly followed.

And Town might have doubled their advantage when Dean swapped passes with Danny Holdsworth, only to then blast his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

A scramble in the Middlewich penalty area ended with the ball again rebounding off the post, and Billinge's frustration prompted ill-discipline when Shaun Wain was sent off for a reckless tackle on Michael Evans late on.

Town | Masters (GK), Whitehead, Weedall, Goodwin, Robinson, Stockley, Priestley, O'Sullivan, Holdsworth, Dean, Evans Subs Ruane, Wakefield, Morana, Griffin