WINSFORD United finished their campaign with back-to-back wins but missed out on manager Rob Byrne’s target of a top 10 finish.

Blues beat Maine Road 6-2 last Tuesday at Barton Stadium, where Eli Mitchell and Brian Matthews both scored a brace, while Danny Egan and Alex Byrne were also on target.

They followed that with a home win against Silsden to wrap up the North West Counties League Premier Division campaign on Saturday.

Winsford United 2 Silsden 0

Two goals in five second-half minutes sealed the hosts victory against Silsden at Barton Stadium on Saturday.

Egan broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark, with Liam Baker adding a second moments later.

Blues had started well and almost found a goal in the first minute when Matthews and Byrne combined for the latter to strike, but keeper Daniel Thorpe saved well.

Byrne watched another effort fly wide of the target soon after, while Matthew Tierney’s free kick was saved by the foot of the post.

However the hosts nearly let Silsden take a surprise lead when goalkeeper Conor O’Keefe fumbled a ball on the half hour, only to quickly recover.

Byrne delivered a free kick three minutes later, but Matthews headed off target as the sides entered the break all square.

Matthews was first to try his luck after the interval with an effort from a narrow angle clearing the bar, while Mitchell’s speculative effort was collected by a full-stretch Thorpe.

O’Keefe was called into action at the other end when he tipped Craig Nicholls’ goalbound shot over the bar.

But it was Blues who broke the deadlock soon after when Marshall linked well with Matthews and his deep cross was smashed high into the net by an unmarked Egan.

And on 65 minutes the hosts doubled their advantage when another well-placed Byrne delivery found Baker on the six-yard box and he headed home.

That was enough to see the hosts home, despite Egan, Matthews and Ben Seol efforts failing to test Thorpe.

Blues: O’Keefe (GK), Byrne, Seol, Baker, Eiselt, Rothwell, Marshall, Tierney, Matthews, Egan, Mitchell. Subs: Clarke, Hammond, Ellison, Wareing, Devaney.