STEETON made an immediate return to winning ways with a 3-0 victory on the road against rock-bottom Cleator Moor Celtic.

The in-form Chevrons had a rare off day of late on Saturday, as their 10-men crumbled to a dreadful 4-1 home defeat at lowly Nelson.

But they reignited their faint North West Counties Football League First Division North play-off hopes just over 72 hours later.

Making the 236-mile round trip on a Tuesday evening in Roy Mason’s 550th competitive game as manager of the club, the Chevrons were the better side throughout, making the long journey home late at night somewhat more palatable.

The visitors came flying out the blocks against the side sitting at the foot of the table and created chances for both Arale Mohamed and Andy Briggs up top.

The closest either got to a goal was the former seeing an effort from close range well saved by Craig Devine, coming after the latter dragged a shot from inside the area past the far post.

Steeton soon found the breakthrough to open the scoring on the night, with the goal coming at the end of a lovely team move.

Jake Townsend launched a counter attack and after playing a quick one-two with Briggs, found the supporting Toby Jeffrey free on his right.

Jeffrey, on his 150th first team appearance for the club, fed a well timed through ball into the path of James Hobden and the midfielder composed himself to slot the ball beneath the keeper for his first goal for the club.

Steeton looked to add to their lead, but a volley from range by Townsend that dipped just over the bar was the best chance they could muster before the interval.

The Chevrons nearly went into the break level but Alistair Morgan, making his 200th first team appearance in Steeton colours, made a superb block to keep his side in front.

The second half saw the visitors push on to wrap up a fifth win from six in the month of February, despite a few scares along the way as a young Cleator Moor outfit grew into the game.

Mo Farhan Subhani came close for the Chevrons but his half volley from a corner routine sailed agonisingly wide of the post from the edge of the area.

From the resulting goal kick, Steeton launched a counter attack as Mohamed broke down the right wing.

Racing into the area, he looked to square the ball to his strike partner Briggs, with Cleator Moor centre-half Owen O’Neill turning the ball into his own net as he attempted to cut out the pass.

Resolute home defence thwarted the visitors as they looked to add to their lead, with Devine making a superb low diving save to his left to tip a goalbound effort from Townsend around the post.

The hosts had a chance to get back into the game after being awarded a penalty for a trip inside the area, but James Catlow made an outstanding save to deny Thomas Houghton from the spot.

Further galvanised by Catlow's heroics, Steeton got back on the front foot and looked for a third goal.

Briggs, Jeffrey, and Subhani all had chances to extend the lead but all three fired over from range.

With three minutes remaining, Mason’s side ended the game as a contest.

Briggs launched a counter attack and was hacked down from behind, but the referee played a superb advantage, from which Subhani shifted the ball right for Hobden to finish for his second goal.

Charlie Lloyd made a great block inside his own area in injury time as the home side were denied a consolation, and Steeton preserved their clean sheet.

A fifth win from six in February was confirmed and puts Steeton back on track ahead of Saturday’s tricky test away at rivals Bacup Borough.