THERE is a sense that 1874 Northwich are gathering momentum.

It helps to face a side they’re used to beating, although a sixth successive win against West Didsbury was secured only by three late goals.

The usual suspects shared them.

Tom Bailey, Sam Hind and Scott McGowan have now contributed 25 of their side’s 28 strikes in league and cup.

The former almost netted inside 60 seconds on Saturday, his attempt – after McGowan teed him up – rebounded off an upright.

Paul Connor drilled wide, as did Stuart Wellstead, while at the other end Jon Poizer and Ashley Woods both failed to hit the target.

Ian Street’s men took the lead after 29 minutes, when Bailey’s pass sent McGowan clear.

The former Congleton man then waltzed around goalkeeper Dean Williams to score.

West needed only four minutes to draw level, Woods holding off the challenge of a defender before turning to send a rising shot out of custodian Greg Hall’s reach.

Williams dived to his left to steer Neil Chappell’s attempt from distance to safety, only to injure a shoulder while doing so.

Stand-in Hayden Buckley-Smith replaced him before the break.

1874 took control in the second period, during which Wellstead, McGowan and Bailey all went close to restoring their advantage.

However the home team’s supporters had to wait until the 80th minute to celebrate another goal, when Hind swerved a smart finish past Buckley-Smith after Matthew Russell had combined with McGowan.

It was 3-1 when McGowan was first to a loose ball after the visitors’ net-minder parried Hind’s volley in his direction.

And Bailey completed the scoring with two minutes left, providing a decisive touch after substitute Rick Bailey’s run and cross prompted a scramble.

A win for Atherton Collieries, at home to back-markers Cammell Laird, keeps them top of the table on goal difference.

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor, Russell (James 88), Mitchell, Matthew Woolley, Chappell, Wellstead (Jack Woolley 76), Jones, Tom Bailey, McGowan (Rick Bailey 86), Hind Sub not used Thomas Goals McGowan 29, 85 Hind 80, Tom Bailey 88 Booked Jones

West | Williams (GK) (Buckley-Smith GK 41), Mason, Ben Woods, Andrews, Rogers, Gavin, Steer, Shaw, Ashley Woods, Kay (Socha 70), Poizer (Black 82) Subs not used Poole, Brockley Goal Ashley Woods 33 Booked Ben Woods, Black

Referee David Croft

Attendance 227

Additional reporting by Garry Clarke