THEY were not at their best, but 1874 Northwich still found a way back to the table’s summit thanks to Sam Hind’s second-half winner.

He was in the right place to hammer in a loose ball after Hanley defenders hampered each other from clearing Stuart Wellstead’s free kick, succeeding only in teeing up the in-form attacker.

And he needed no second invitation to blast past goalkeeper Joe Hemmings.

Ian Street’s side stretch an unbeaten run to eight matches as a result, edging a point clear of West Didsbury in second.

In the first half, Hemmings was equal to Scott McGowan’s free kick before diverting Rick Bailey’s corner to safety with his fingertips.

There were glimpses of goal for the hosts too, but Angelo Errico, Sean Mountfield and Dave McPherson all failed to hit the target.

When Hanley were more accurate, they found 1874 custodian Greg Hall in inspired form.

He stretched to claw clear Josh Thorpe’s header from a set piece, recovering quickly to save a follow-up attempt too.

A third save, to thwart Dan Cope, kept the scores level.

After the interval, the hosts were again alert in defence to smuggle away Hind’s cross.

Errico fired wide after sneaking into space behind 1874’s back-line – a reminder of Hanley’s attacking threat.

The game’s defining moment arrived on 75 minutes, when Wellstead lofted a free kick into the area.

A tangle between two home-team players ended with one heading the ball against the other before it dropped to Hind.

And the former Glossop North End forward was celebrating his ninth goal of the campaign seconds later.

A date with Irlam at Barton Stadium, where 1874 have won four successive league fixtures this term, follows on Tuesday.

Hanley | Hemmings (GK), Grice (Grocott 84), Blowers, Stair, Thorpe, Stanyer, Errico, McPherson, Mountford, Cope (Ashton 74), Nicholls (Mellor 59) Subs not used Skellern, Sheldon Booked Thorpe, McPherson, Mellor

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor (Chappell 68), Russell, Matthew Woolley, Thomas, Rick Bailey, Wellstead (Jack Woolley 83), Jones, Tom Bailey (Carroll 73), McGowan, Hind Sub not used Simpson Goal Hind 75 Booked McGowan, Connor

Referee Jack Shepherd

Attendance 138

Match report by Garry Clarke