1874 NORTHWICH responded in exactly the way manager Ian Street will have wanted following last weekend’s disappointing Macron Cup exit.

However they had to come from behind against opponents that had failed to win any of their previous 13 matches in the North West Counties League.

Tunde Owolabi scored inside five minutes, drilling Haydn Foulds’ cross past goalkeeper Greg Hall.

The Millers’ goal-scorer was denied a second when his shot struck an upright, then he prompted the visitors’ number one to divert his centre to safety.

1874 posed a threat too, and New Mills’ number one Jake O’Regan had to be at his best.

Tom Bailey and Scott McGowan both had attempts cleared off the line, while Sam Hind’s effort struck the latter on its way to the target.

An equaliser arrived five minutes before the break when Danny Thomas, left unmarked at a corner, planted a firm header out of O’Regan’s reach.

Tyler Edwards then went close to adding a second goal after running onto an inch-perfect long ball sent in his direction by Mark Jones.

He made room for a shot that fizzed inches over the bar.

Ian Street’s side edged ahead before the break though, Sam Hare striking into the net when he met McGowan’s assist.

1874 added to their advantage three minutes after the restart, this time after Jones picked out McGowan’s run on the left.

His spotted Bailey, who slid to redirect the ball over the line from close range.

Bailey prompted O’Regan to save, and McGowan scuffed a shot wide before New Mills pulled a goal back when Foulds blasted a free kick past Hall to make it 3-2.

McGowan was again denied by O’Regan after shooting smartly on the turn, only for Hind to tee up Bailey for his 17th goal of the campaign from the rebound.

Points safe, the visitors were able to mark a moment of history with time running out when Adam Whitlock – the latest youngster to graduate from 1874’s under 21s side – became the 100th player to represent the club in a competitive fixture.

New Mills | O’Regan (GK), Arklie-Young, Golden, Michael Jones, Jack Taylor (Johnson 46), Luke Taylor, Stringer-Moth (Collinson 65), Hopper, Douglas-Pringle, Foulds, Owolabi (Marshall 65) Subs not used Coleman, Martin (GK) Goals Owolabi 3, Foulds 68 Booked Arklie-Young, Foulds

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor, Russell, Mark Jones, Thomas, Hare, Hind (Whitlock 85), Waldron, Bailey, McGowan (Jack Woolley 85)  Edwards (Jackson 80) Subs not used Lee Jones, Tulloch Goals Thomas 45, Hare 40, Bailey 48, 80 Booked Waldron, Russell

Referee Dean Watson

Attendance 177

Match report by Garry Clarke