UNSWORTH'S match against relegation rivals Bury was turned on its head by part-time spinner Steve McGuinness, says captain and pro Chris Williams.

While Williams hit 76 and took three wickets, Bury batsmen Mohammed Jamal and Cosmond Walters were threatening to take the game away from Unsworth when McGuinness struck.

After taking the key wicket of Jamal, Williams waded in with the scalp of Walters and Bury wickets started to tumble as they fell 16 runs short of Unsworth's 194-5.

"We felt like we had made enough runs to win the game, but halfway through their innings I would say it was Bury's match to lose," said Williams.

"If Jamal and Walters had added another 20 or 30 runs I think they would have been out of sight.

"So we made the breakthrough at the right time.

"While it was nice personally to get some runs and a few wickets, that is what I am here for.

"Steve has not been bowling much recently but it looked a turning wicket so I asked him to do a job for us and he ended up being the matchwinner.

"He's taken the wicket of their danger man when he was threatening to cut loose, then tied them down so the runs dried up and added another couple of wickets.

"There's no doubt he was the matchwinner."

Williams is hopeful Unsworth can carry on a run that has seen them win three of their last four matches and battle their way off the bottom to within three points of safety.

"We have become very strong at home and three of our last five matches are at home so we have a chance," he added.

"It is very tense, as we know one or two slip ups and we could be down.

"But we have managed to get to within three points of Greenmount, so they are in the thick of it now.

"And I am sure one or two more teams will be sucked into the relegation picture before the season is out."