A DETERMINED Creswick side gave league leaders Daylesford its closest game for the year on Saturday in Central Highlands Football League.

Although the previous form guide of both sides may have suggested a one-sided game it turned out to be a close fought tussle all day.

Daylesford did not help its cause by having two players sent off and being a player short for almost a quarter of the game.

Creswick jump-started the Bulldogs and was up at quarter time.

Quarter time saw Daylesford regroup and a powerhouse second quarter gave the visitors some breathing space at half time.

Rob Rodgers, Mike Davis and Luke Adams showed the way after quarter time.

Perhaps many thought Creswick would just fall away from here on but it was not to be.

The Wickers fought gamely and used their defensive tactics on a small ground to full advantage.

As the game wore on the old brigade of Cade O'Brien, Joel Adams and Clayton Scoble steadied and assisted the Dogs to what was eventually a comfortable seven-goal win.