Joe Mwasile celebrates the third goal v Frickley

Nantwich Town moved up to third in the Evo-Stik Premier League after seeing off Frickley Athletic 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.

The Dabbers looked to be cruising to a comfortable win after going 3-0 up with three goals shortly before half time.

Steve Jones grabbed the first, bursting clear and slotting past Frickley keeper Seb Malkowski after 39 minutes.

Tom Peers grabbed his first goal for the club with a similar finish before Joe Mwasile fired home the third in first-half injury time.

But Frickley came out much brighter in the second half, grabbed a goal back after 72 minutes when right back Ross Burrows volleyed in.

He added another nine minutes later to set up a nervy finish, but the Dabbers held on for three vital points.

The kick off had earlier been delayed by 20 minutes after the Frickley team got stuck in traffic.

Mwasile had the first sight of goal as he spun and shot on the edge of the box but the ball deflected for a corner.

Steve Jones scores the first goal v Frickley

Andy White’s header hit a post from a Sean Cooke cross, but the offside flag was up against him.

Osebi Abadaki cut inside and shot straight at Malkowski as the Dabbers started the better.

Cooke’s deflected shot made it an easy save for Malkowski.

Frickley only first half effort was a blocked free kick from Waide Fairhurst.

Nantwich suffered a blow when Abadaki went down with a suspected hamstring injury on 30 minutes. Steve Jones came on in his place.

And Jones was immediately involved, seeing an overhead kick saved by Malkowski before missing a glorious chance at the far post from Bell’s cross.

He was to atone six minutes before half time when a fine through ball sent him clear.

He waited for the keeper to go to ground before slotting home.

The Dabbers doubled their lead four minutes later.

Tom Peers chips the goalkeeper for the second goal v Frickley

The Dabbers unlocked the door with another well weighted through ball and new boy Peers (above) lifted it over the advancing Malkowski for his first goal for the Dabbers.

Shortly before half time, Frickley’s high line was punished again, this time by Mwasile.

Cooke found him with an inch perfect through ball and he finished well over Malkowksi.

Frickley showed more energy after the break.

Fairhurst screwed a shot wide before he forced a corner as they enjoyed more possession.

A second Dabbers change followed, with Mwasile replaced by debutant Oscar Durnin.

Steve Jones scrambles for the ball v Frickley

The veteran Jones continued to cause the Frickley defence problems, linking well with Cooke.

Wayne Riley picked up a booking for a late challenge on Pugh before Jones came close to a goal yet again when he was sent clear on the counter.

The Dabbers were pegged back on 72 minutes.

A long ball over the top found right-back Ross Burrows and he smashed a first time volley into the top corner, giving Gyollai no chance.

The Dabbers looked rattled and they conceded again nine minutes later.

Burrows grabbed his second after the ball dropped to him inside the area and he fired home.

It set up a grandstand finish as Frickley pushed for a leveller.

Nantwich defend the ball v Frickley

Rhys Meynell saw a corner ball fall to him on the edge of the box, but he blazed well over.

Then Frickley almost nabbed an equaliser when Joe Pugh’s 25-yard free kick cannoned back off the post.

The ball hit Gyollai and bounced to safety.

The Dabbers held on in a nail-biting win that propels them into the play offs for the first time this season.

Nantwich Town: Dan Gyollai, Joel Stair, Andy White, Ben Harrison, Curtis Jones, Wayne Riley, Joe Mwasile(Oscar Durnin, 58), Matt Bell(c), Tom Peers, Sean Cooke(Matty Ashbrook, 70), Osebi Abadaki(Steve Jones, 29). Unused subs: Ryan Brooke, Troy Bourne

(Pics courtesy of Jonathan White)

Frickley goalkeeper Sebastian Malkowski clears the ball

Sean Cooke controls the ball v Frickley

Captain Matt Bell eyes the ball v Frickley

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