KENDAL won a nail-biting clash against Lancaster, who along with Radcliffe, are expected to be the side’s main challengers for this year’s league title.

After a cagey opening Lancaster scored and although Dan Barker replied for Kendal, they went a man down when skipper Darren Gibson was sinbinned and Lancaster went 2-1 ahead.

Kendal’s Marc Robinson levelled with a thunderous shot only for Lancaster to edge 3-2 up going into the third quarter.

Determined to gain the upper hand, Kendal equalised again through Barker and Matt Little completed a slick move for a 4-3 lead.

In a tense fourth quarter, Lancaster scored controversially just as the referee blew for the 30-second possession rule.

The goal stood but Kendal went ahead again through Robinson at 5-4. Clever play from Lancaster nullified the lead but Kendal were a man-up and Gibson scored to seal an exciting victory.

Skipper Gibson said: “It was a very disciplined performance, especially in defence.”