The Bloods, missing striker Steve Lewis with a hamstring injury, were under pressure from the opening minutes of the first half and only two saves from James Coates at the feet of Jordan Connerton kept them in contention in the first half hour.

The ever threatening Lancaster took the lead five minutes before half time, Westwood firing home at the far post after Mayers' excellent flick on.

Two minutes later, the Bloods though were level, Jack Rudge shooting from the edge of the area after some good work from Billy Hasler Cregg and they really should have gone into the interval in front when Domaine Rouse found himself in space only to shoot straight at Hale in the Lancaster goal.

The Bloods started the second half looking the stronger, Liam Caddick's final touch letting him down as he was put through by Adam Farrell and precision cross by Hasler Cregg found the head of Rudge only for the midfielder to head wide with the goal at his mercy.

But the visitors came back strongly, Mayers seeing his shot come back off the underside of the bar.

But two goals in six minutes put the game out of reach for the home side, a thunderous shot from Gregory giving Coates no chance on fifty five minutes and a second from Westwood heading home from an Akrigg cross.

Droylsden had the ball in the net not long after but Adam Farrell's strike was ruled offside but little after that to get back into the game