KENDAL Town FC made the perfect start to the new year following a win against Colne.

The Mintcakes snapped a four-game losing streak with a one nil victory in their first game of 2022.

Joel Brogans strike with just nine minutes left guided Kendal to a victory which now sees them just seven points behind Prescot Cables who currently occupy the relegation playoff position.

While Kendal are still ten points away from safety, the manner of the performance from David Woodruffs team shows further evidence of improvement as the Mintcakes remain in the fight to survive relegation from The Northern Premier League.

Kendal fresh from an encouraging performance against promotion contenders Workington Reds travelled to Colne knowing that it would be a difficult game against an opponent who had prior to the game announced the appointment of Jon Macken as their new manager.

However, the game got off to a good start where both teams showed intent while Colne pressed the Kendal defence creating half chances in the penalty area, while they had a goal ruled out after two minutes.

But as Kendal settled into the game, chances came at the other end and Ryan Forde made a good save after 17 minutes to keep out a goal-bound header from a corner kick by the visitors.

Seven minutes later, Cameron Gourley cleared the ball off the Colne goal-line after Daniel Edwards had got past Forde in the Reds penalty area.

At the other end, Colne came close on the half hour when Ryan Taylor’s free kick found Charlie Russell in the visitors’ area but his firm header was well saved by Kendal keeper James McGleneghan.

On the stroke of half time, Lee Pugh headed wide at the far post from another free kick by Taylor.

Colne pressed forward as the second half began and Reece Webb-Foster’s low cross found Paul Dugdale at the far post but he shot wide from a great chance. Then a series of corners saw Pugh’s header pushed over the bar in a great save by McCleneghan.

However, the Mintcakes were quick on the break and on the hour, Harry Cannon-Noren did well to block a shot by Edwards after a run into the Colne area before Tom Fagan’s follow-up flashed across the goalmouth. Four minutes later, a diagonal free kick found Will Higham at the far post and his volley rattled the Colne crossbar.

Colne forced a series of free kicks around the Kendal penalty area at the other end without converting them and McCleneghan did well to save Russell’s shot on the line in a crowded goalmouth.

Kendal made the breakthrough after 81 minutes from a counter attack when Joel Brogan broke from the half way line on a solo run holding off defenders before finishing with a low shot past the keeper.

The game was wide open during the closing stages while Kendal's defenders blocked a series of shots before seeing out five minutes of injury time to secure a huge victory.