CLEARLY with an eye on their FA Cup second round tie at Chesterfield, Bloods’ boss Dave Pace rang the changes to rest some players and give others a chance to stake a claim for a starting place at Saltergate.

Droylsden would have preferred not to bow out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle, but their task was not aided by the dismissal of skipper Jamie McGuire for attempting to headbutt an opponent after he had conceded a free kick.

The match itself was not a memorable affair, with chances at a premium on a bitterly cold afternoon.

Droylsden did create the first opportunity but Carl Lamb’s header somehow went wide in the opening two minutes.

Play then swung to the other end as Kyle Clancy tipped over Matthew James’ header and the resultant corner ended with Jake Speight flashing a header across the face of goal.

Ashley Burbeary shot tamely at Curtis Aspden, but the best chance of the half fell on 20 minutes to Andy Campbell, but he shot over from 10 yards.

The hosts took the lead eight minutes into the second half, when a low corner kick was allowed to roll across the goal, where Amjad Iqbal stabbed home from close range

Lamb was then presented with an opportunity to level matters, but shot wide from the edge of the box when it might have been more beneficial to take the ball on.

Pace signalled his intentions by exchanging Steve Halford for Domaine Rouse, leaving just three defenders in his rearguard.

Craig Bentham and Speight shot wide for the hosts, Kevin Townson had two chances for Droylsden who saw Neil Prince’s hooked effort saved by Aspden, before the winner came with six minutes left as James beat Clancy inside his right-hand post with a low drive from 20 yards.

Attendance: 207

Gary Owen