IAN Street believes his side missed an opportunity to record a first win against neighbours Runcorn Linnets on Tuesday night.

1874 Northwich, down to 10 men following Neil Chappell’s dismissal, took the lead shortly after the interval when Tom Bailey converted Stuart Wellstead’s cross.

However they conceded an equaliser when substitute Steve Foster fired in a loose ball, earning a point for the home team.

“I’m really disappointed we didn’t hang on,” he said.

“They were struggling to break us down, and I felt we were dealing with their threat.

“We gave away a needless free kick, a mistake that gave them a chance to throw the ball into a dangerous area.

“To concede a goal in that way was a galling if I’m honest.”

A draw, which extends an unbeaten run in the North West Counties League Premier Division to seven matches, is enough to send 1874 to the top of the table after previous leaders Atherton Collieries lost 3-2 at Bootle.

Street added: “A point puts us in first place, so I have to be pleased with that.

“Now we want to stay there if possible.

“It’s been a good few days after beating West Didsbury on Saturday.”

He told the Guardian that referee Alan Bennett had been right to show a red card to Chappell, who has now been sent off twice this season.

Instead, the 1874 boss criticised the match officials for ruling out Tom Bailey’s goal early on for offside.

“I think the ref was spot on with the sending off,” he added.

“For me, the tackle was unnecessary. But he’s a player who won’t back out of anything.

“I said to the linesman that he’s got the offside call wrong – a Runcorn player touched the ball into Bailey’s path.

“A couple of needless things have cost us, and I wish we’d learn from them, but we never seem to.”