RICK Bailey came off the bench on Saturday to score a stoppage-time winner that sent 1874 Northwich back to the North West Counties League’s summit.

His free kick, taken left-footed from just outside the penalty area, arced into the far corner to settle a contest both sides can make a case they should have won.

However it was Ian Street’s side, who lead Runcorn Town on goal difference ahead of Tuesday’s round of Premier Division matches, that celebrated a seventh successive victory against these opponents.

1874 owe goalkeeper Greg Hall a debt of thanks.

He made a string of outstanding saves, denying Jonathan Poizer, Joe Shaw and Ashley Woods, to keep the scores level.

The visitors also survived an almighty scramble on 38 minutes.

A flashpoint followed before the break, when Sam Hare squared up to Joe Shaw after he had been fouled from behind by the former Witton Albion midfielder.

Both men were dismissed by referee Kristian Silcock.

1874 improved significantly after the interval, and it was the turn of West custodian Hayden Buckley-Smith to be prominent.

He tipped Stuart Wellstead’s attempt around an upright, then reacted instinctively to block Scott McGowan’s close-range header.

The hosts’ number one was also equal to Mark Jones’ attempt close to full-time.

Anthony Potts then committed an unnecessary foul in added time leaving Bailey, as he had been against Barnton the previous week, to become 1874’s match-winner again.

West | Buckley-Smith (GK), Botchey, Socha, Andrews, Bayunu, Potts, Ainscough (Poole 78), Shaw, Ashley Woods, Poizer (Steer 59), Ben Woods (Whyment 82) Subs not used Settle, Williams Booked Botchey, Shaw, Ashley Woods Sent off Shaw

1874 | Hall (GK), Wellstead (Jack Woolley 86), Russell, Mitchell, Thomas, Hare, Matthew Woolley, Mark Jones, Tom Bailey, McGowan (Rick Bailey 89), Hind Subs not used Carroll, Tulloch, Chappell Goal Rick Bailey 90 (+2) Booked Wellstead Sent off Hare

Referee Kristian Silcock

Attendance 289

Match report by Garry Clarke