NORTHWICH Victoria's three-match winning run in the Northern Premier League ended on Saturday when they lost at home to Chasetown.

James Dance’s hat-trick secured maximum points for the visitors, who also had goalkeeper John Bateman sent off late on, to render replies from Simon Lakeland and Jamie Hinchliffe as immaterial.

The Scholars took the lead inside three minutes, Dance hooking in from close range after a long throw was allowed to bounce by Vics' defence.

Captain Matthew Regan saw his goal-bound attempt deflected wide at the other end before Chasetown doubled their lead when Dance drove low into the corner.

Vics, knocked out of the FA Trophy in midweek following a replay reverse at Mossley, halved their arrears when Lakeland curled a stunning effort in to the top corner eight minutes into the second period.

It buoyed Adam Lakeland's men, only for another defensive mistake - this time when Kieran Nolan's cleared straight to Dance - to prove costly.

The attacker gleefully blasted home a third goal from close range.

His eventful afternoon continued when Bateman, who had denied substitute Connor Hughes with a fine double save moments earlier, was shown a red card as punishment for bringing down Nolan inside the penalty area.

Dance put on his teammate's gloves, but could not prevent Hinchliffe from converting the resulting spot kick in emphatic fashion.

Northwich ran out of time to conjure a leveller, instead suffering a fourth defeat in front of their own supporters in Division One South this term.

Vics | Springthorpe (GK), Olopade, Fitzgerald (Brewster 46), Regan, Pritchard, Clarke, Simon Lakeland, Nolan, Abadaki (Edwards 76), Hinchliffe, Gymiah (Hughes 52) Sub not used Mudimu Goals Simon Lakeland 53, Hinchliffe 89 (penalty) Booked Olopade, Regan, Simon Lakeland

Chasetown | Bateman (GK), Curley, Wood, Slater, Rowley, Dance, Craddock, Langston (Lake-Gaskin 82), Piggon (Kiembi 76) Rooney, Ruff (Till 71) Sub not used Pond (GK), Ashman Goals Dance 3, 30, 68 Booked Curley, Langston, Rooney Sent off Bateman (GK)

Referee Patrick Mahon

Attendance 121