The ‘Phil Parkinson effect’ continued at the Weaver Stadium as Nantwich Town beat Halesowen Town in front of 333 fans.
Nantwich’s second highest attendance watched the Dabbers to a fully deserved 1-0 victory.
Halesowen might have been the play-off chasers, but there was only one side who truly threatened.
And Nantwich debutant Sean Cooke, who lined up in place of the ill Steve Jones, showed fans what they had missed since he left the club two seasons ago.
Halesowen created a couple of early chances, with Forde seeing an early long shot easily blocked and a swirling cross hit the bar.
But the Dabbers soon grew into the game and quickly took control, finding particular success down the right hand side.
The partnership between Matthew Kosylo and Cliff Moyo continues to blossom, and they caused Halesowen many early problems.
A cross from Kosylo was first met by Cooke, who was blocked from shooting inside the six yard box.
Then minutes later another of his crosses forced a corner, from which Mat Bailey saw a header well saved by Sargeant.
Halesowen Town’s only response was a solitary shot by Iyseden Chrisie on 10 minutes, but he leant back as he blazed his shot over from the edge of the box.
Nantwich took a deserved lead on 12 minutes.
Harrop broke through and smashed home from 18 yards for his second of the season.
Harrop almost grabbed a second on 26 minutes, when he was played out wide by Platt.
His cross-come-shot was met by no one at the back stick.
Harry Clayton had shot well saved by the keeper, and when the ball rebounded to him he could only fire it into the side netting.
The first chance of the second half fell to Halesowen sub Ben Haseley, whose shot was comfortably saved by Terry Smith.
Then Tom Tonks had a volley which was saved by the Nantwich Town number one.
Nantwich were inches from a second when a long ball fell to Clayton who held off the defender before squaring to Harrop, who shot was just inches wide.
On the hour, Cooke was fouled just the outside the area. Cooke took the free kick which went narrowly over.
Moments later Cooke and Kosylo were involved in the move of the match when they played a one-two before Kosylo tried an effort which was pushed away.
Nantwich made two changes with PJ Hudson coming on for Harrop and three minutes later Clayton was withdrawn for Mark Winslade.
The Dabbers continued searching for a second with Cooke going close as he allowed the ball to run through his legs before hitting a shot just wide.
In the final minute, Cliff Moyo was brought off with an injury, replaced by Shaun Dowling.
As the match entered three minutes of stoppage time, Smith had to make two excellent saves as Halesowen piled forward looking for a leveller.
Nantwich had one final chance when Kosylo broke down the wing before playing in Winslade, but his shot was blocked.
Nantwich Town moved up to 18th in the table. They face a key match away at Matlock Town next Saturday (February 28), kick off 3pm.
Nantwich Town: Smith, Moyo, White, Bailey, Harrison, M.Jones (C), Cooke, Platt, Clayton, Harrop and Kosylo. Subs: Winslade (on for Clayton, 66 minutes), Blake, Hudson (on for Harrop, 63 minutes) and Dowling (on for Moyo, 89 minutes)
(Pictured: Goalscorer Max Harrop. Pic by Simon J Newbury Photography)
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