The Blues started in fine style and dominated the first quarter of an hour but Formby keeper Lee Gunnion denied Lance Ogunyode in a one-on-one confrontation after six minutes and made a double save to keep out shots by Luke Hargreaves and Andy Smith in quick succession two minutes later.

Martin Payne’s end to end run after 15 minutes took him clear of the visitors’ defence but he blasted his shot past the angle of Gunnion’s goal.   

Nelson made the breakthrough after 27 minutes from a corner kick which Alex Mugan chested into the net in a packed goalmouth to give his side the lead. 

Darren Wright cleared a dangerous cross from the Nelson goalmouth from Paul Williams after Formby had opened up the home defence with a good attack but Nelson still continued to create chances at the other end with some promising build ups.  Despite a series of attacks and some good pressure, the Blues remained just one goal in front at the interval. 

Formby came more into the picture as an attacking force in the second half with the wind at their backs and Chris Thompson in the Nelson goal needed to make a good save soon after the restart from Paul Williams’ well struck shot from 25 yards. 

Andy Smith had a shot blocked in the visitors’ penalty area but Nelson increasingly gave the ball away as they tried to play the long ball out of defence and gave the initiative to Formby.   

 After 65 minutes, the visitors drew level when Darren Wright was adjudged to have handled as he chested the ball down 20 yards from goal.  Paul Williams curled the free kick over the defensive wall and into the top corner of the Nelson net for the equaliser. 

Nelson responded well and pushed forward with some strong attacking play.  They were rewarded seven minutes later when Alex Mugan was tripped inside the Formby penalty area and Luke Hargreaves drove home the spot kick to restore their lead at 2-1. 

After 78 minutes, a good move on the right wing provided Andy Smith with a sight of goal and his diagonal shot brought a good save from Lee Gunnion to knock the ball past the far post.   

As the game reached the closing stages, Chris Thompson produced a great diving save to keep out Paul Hopkins’ 30 yard free kick and within a minute, Michael Mulrooney shot over the Nelson bar when a cross found him six yards out at the far post. 

In time added on, the taking of a free kick caused some jostling in the Nelson goalmouth and Formby’s Neil Roberts was sent off for use of the elbow in an otherwise trouble free game.