IN the early stages of Saturday’s clash with league leaders Upton, Knutsford FC looked on course for an impressive victory.

Having not played in the league since the end of October, it looked as though the break had done them good when two superb Jonny Cavanagh strikes put them 2-0 up inside 25 minutes.

However, the Chester-based side showed just why they had lost just two of their 16 league games going into the weekend by storming back and snatching a late winner to secure a 3-2 victory.

Reds had hammered Stockport Georgians Reserves 7-2 last time out and the momentum gained from that display looked to be serving them well as they took the game to their hosts.

On eight minutes, they made it count when Cavanagh sent a superb left-footed strike into the far corner.

Knutsford continued to hold the upper hand and doubled their lead on 19 minutes as Brandon Blades laid the ball off to Cavanagh, who unleashed a stunning effort into the net to double his tally.

Chances continued to come, with Blades and Jimmy Woodward going close before Charlie Rodick forced the Upton keeper into a good save.

However, warning signs started to appear just before half time when some slack defending from a corner allowed the hosts to pull a goal back, with Ben McGlashan tapping in at the far post.

That goal lifted the hosts going into the second half but Knutsford continued to have chances, with Cavanagh going close to completing a hat-trick while a strong-looking penalty shout was waved after Rodick had appeared to be felled inside the area.

Just shy of the hour mark, though, Upton got their leveller as McGlashan took advantage of more hesitant defending to slide home at the far post.

That proved the cue for the hosts to up the intensity, with Reds stopper Dominic Smith making a good save to keep the scores level.

There was to be a winning goal, though, and unfortunately for Knutsford, it was a self-inflicted wound as substitute Oliver Gianni poked the ball into his own net.

Reds’ next scheduled fixture is against Wythenshawe Reserves on Saturday, December 30.

Knutsford: Smith, Mawdsley (Gianni), Wilbraham, Maunder, Sheldon (Gunter), Fregapane, Brotherton, Cavanagh, Rodick (Slamani), Woodward (Mountney), Blades (Kelembeck)