Willenhall picked up their first league win in nine with a tremendous victory at a Carlton side who had won six of their seven previous UniBond First Division South home games.

The Lockmen dominated proceedings in the first half and Danny Yearwood fired an effort just wide from 20 yards. A pinpoint pass from Troy Douglin was headed down into the path of Sean Pugh but his shot went just wide.

For Carlton, Daniel Blair managed to pick the ball up six yards out but keeper Steve Jackson was off his line to block any shot.

On 21 minutes, a great one touch pass by Pugh set Shaun Findlay clean through but he could only shoot wide. Two minutes later the same two players were involved in setting up Jayson O’Kelly to shoot just over from 20 yards.

On 25 minutes, Karl Slack did well to nip between two Willenhall defenders but Jackson was on hand to block the striker’s effort. The rebound fell to Martin Ball but he could only shoot over the bar.

After Rory Curtis hit two efforts just wide, some great football after 38 minutes almost gave Willenhall the lead. After a penetrating run by Ed Ryan, Curtis squared the ball to Pugh but his effort was deflected through to Alessandro Barcherini.

Only a great diving stop from Jackson prevented Dean Gent’s 25-yard effort from breaking the deadlock on 40 minutes. But then Willenhall scored their first league goal since September 30.

Yearwood squared the ball to Findlay, who did well to spin past his marker before hitting a low shot underneath the body of Barcherini right on the stroke of half-time. Carlton threatened more in the second half and Slack fired into the side netting.

After Pugh had headed just wide, a great run from Findlay saw him break through one tackle before shooting just over from 20 yards. From the goal kick, Blair found himself clear but Jackson was off his line well to deny the striker again.

A good one-two between Ricky Gardner and Blair set the latter clean through but he shot just wide. Willenhall sealed the win on 79 minutes when as a weak clearing header fell straight to Pugh. The striker brought the ball down with his knee before hitting a 40-yard volley which dipped right into the top corner.

Carlton: Barcherini, Henshaw, Price, Swinscoe (Breach), Martin, Ball, Whitman (Chaplin), Irons, Slack, Blair, Gent (Gardner).

Willenhall: Jackson, Roofe, Ryan, Perry, Douglin, O’ Kelly, Igori (Wills), Findlay (Pinnock), Pugh, Curtis, Yearwood.

Attendance: 73