Halesowen Town 0, FC United of Manchester 1

A BATTLING performance from Halesowen Town couldn't prevent them slipping to defeat against league leaders FC United of Manchester.

The Yeltz will feel they deserved at least a draw from the game after managing to put their title chasing visitors under pressure at various times throughout, especially during an impressive first half.

However, with real chances at a premium, it was always going to come down to which side could find a way through first.

That honour fell to FC United's Craig Lindfield in the 76th minute when he headed home from close range to take the spoils.

It was a cruel blow on the Yeltz who had more than held their own against the table toppers.

It was Hales that started the brighter and won a series of early corners to keep their visitors pegged back.

Half chances came and went in the first ten minutes as Town failed to make their pressure pay.

Aaron Griffiths, Kristian Green and Joe Hull all had opportunities to break the deadlock.

The best chance of the half fell to Green with just over half hour gone when his downward header was saved by keeper David Carnell a his near post.

The ball found Green at the far post after Tom Tonks sliced a shot straight to him after a good flick on by Iyseden Christie.

The half ended with Matt Sargeant untroubled in the Hales goal but with the Yeltz having nothing to show for their endeavour.

FC United regrouped at the interval and grew into the game in the second half.

However, still Hales kept them at bay when they did come forward and it was a case of defences on top as both sides battled for possession.

FC United finally began to build some pressure before Matt Wolfenden blasted over from outside the area just before the hour mark.

Halesowen dug out a chance of their own in the 71st minute when Asa Chalton met a Griffith corner. But he couldn't direct his header on target and the chance went begging.

The deadlock was finally broken on 76 minutes when Lindfield guided a header past Sargeant.

An FC United attack saw some scrambled Hales defending. The ball was quickly worked back into the box from the left flank for Lindfield to pounce.

The Yeltz had one last chance to earn a draw when Haseley got in behind as the game moved into stoppage time. He burst through only to see the outrushing Carnell block his low shot at goal.

A defeat seems a little unfair on John Hill's men who showed just how far they have come this season in front of a bumper 1,478 crowd.

Ultimately, despite having very few real chances, it was United's ability to snatch a goal that proved the difference as Halesowen's winless run goes on.

Halesowen: Sargeant, Green, Griffiths Turner 89), Forde, Hull (c), Tilt, Chalton, Tonk, Christie, Haseley, Bragoli (Daniels 83).

Unused subs: Heard, Watson, Pearson.

FC United: Carnell, Brownhills, Daniels, Birch (c) (Fox 17), Lacy, Lynch, Wolfenden (Fallon 73), Brown, Greaves (Bayunu 85), Wright, Lindfield.

Unused subs: Payne, Byrne.

Att: 1,478.