It's Grim Up North

If promotion has taught Slough's forwards anything, it must surely be that Conference defences leak like sieves. Morecambe's proved by far the most fragile of the six the Rebels have faced so far, and only a late error of judgement from the occasionally worrying, usually rewarding Delroy Preddie produced a goal from a Shrimps attack which had created only the bare minimum of noteworthy openings.

The hosts proved more of a handful than, say, Welling or the ever-so-lucky Southport, but a blistering full debut from new boy Ross Pickett, as well as commanding displays from Trevor Baron and Lee Harvey at the back, had another three points wrapped up without too much trouble in a highly intimidatory atmosphere for players and spectators.

The first-half alone witnessed a surfeit of chances in front of Johnstone's goal. Garfield Blackman began the avalanche on 10 minutes when West's flick into the area saw him tripped, only for him to head the ball onto the post as he fell and thereby deny himself a penalty. The visitors, if nothing else, were not playing for the draw.

Lay highlighted an otherwise indifferent display with a 25-yard free-kick which the 'keeper fumbled and almost threw into his own goal, while West fired just too high after causing considerable confusion from a corner.

Either of the new names could have been on the score-sheet too - Harvey when his header was well-stopped under the bar (though the flag was raised for a push) and Pickett when a similar header produced a fine save.

When the lead came on 33 minutes, Morecambe had barely done enough to keep Preddie awake, with a succession of counter attacks never proving more than empty threats. Blackman eventually scored it, but Pickett takes the plaudits for exploiting a modicum of space down the left and forcing Johnstone to parry the ball into the nippy winger's path, leaving him with an empty net, a late slide from a defender only helping it in.

Garfield for Conference top scorer this season? Place your bets now.

The yellow offside trap working very efficiently, the half-time break came only after Pickett had missed a golden chance when Johnstone and his full-back got in a real muddle and left him with a 20-yard lob which he hit badly into the roof of the net.

He compensated 10 minutes after emerging from the tunnel for the restart, finally doing what he had threatened all game by taking a West flick-on, racing past two defenders and then slipping the ball through as the 'keeper advanced unwisely off his line. The former Hayes striker proved his mettle with a pacy and intuitive display, his goal capping a pleasing afternoon for him.

It should have been plain sailing from there on (and Harvey could have had a third when two 70th minute shots were respectively cleared off the line and deflected by teammate Baron), and although Coleman provided a sticky moment when his far post diving header shaved the woodwork, the points looked in the bag.

Unfortunately, Preddie thought differently and marred an otherwise faultless game with another bizarre gaffe, deciding that his centre-backs for some reason needed help dealing with a through-ball, chasing out of his goal, completely missing the ball and leaving an astonished Cain with a simple finish.

Fortunately, the resolve held firm and West, Blackman and co wasted the final eight minutes by passing between themselves and indulging in rambling runs up and down the wings until time was called on another bafflingly brilliant triumph.

So good, it was even worth getting up at seven in the morning for.