GREAT HARWOOD 2 - WOODLEY SPORTS 1

GREAT Harwood took a big step towards NWCL Division One survival with a hard-fought victory over Woodley Sports last night.

The three points have moved Denis Underwood's side off the foot of the table and up to third-from-bottom.

And it could be make or break on Sunday when Harwood welcome Cheadle Town, the team just below them, to their 'home' -- Accrington Stanley -- on Sunday with kick off at 12 noon.

Underwood said before the game he needed to win three of his last five games -- and now it's two from four -- to make sure they are in Division One next season.

And Harwood got off to the best possible start when a Dave Livesey free kick was met in the box by Andy Taylor who headed home on six minutes.

It was two inside 15 minutes when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball hit the back of the net -- Neil Baron claimed it although it has gone down as an own goal.

Harwood could have made it more comfortable.

They created a number of chances and came closest when Paul Walker hit the bar before the break.

But instead they had to put up with a nervy end.

Woodley got one back through O'Connell on 65 minutes and after that it was nail-biting as the visitors threatened a comeback.

But Harwood held on to record a crucial win in their survival battle.