SCOTT McGowan’s penalty secured for 1874 Northwich a first point of a new campaign following a draw with Abbey Hey.

He sent goalkeeper Ross Heywood the wrong way from the spot after a linesman flagged to signal to referee Daniel Bruce that a visiting player had handled on the goal-line.

The home team applied pressure for the game’s remainder, and Callum Gardner’s attempt was off-target before a shot from McGowan clipped the outside of a post.

Mark Jones’ goal-bound effort, following promising approach play by Joe Woolley, was blocked by a defender.

Substitute Kazim Waite-Jackson was denied in the same way, while Danny Thomas headed wide and Heywood reacted smartly to thwart Jake Parker – another second-half replacement for the hosts.

The opening period had been more even and Sam Freakes, playing against his former club, prompted the visitors’ custodian to tip over a free-kick.

Abbey Hey took the lead midway through the first-half when Keiron Dale was swift to react and poke a loose ball into the net after Stephen Solademi’s header from a corner was diverted into his path.

1874 responded, and Kyle Riley’s header from Lee Jackson’s cross flashed past an upright.

The front man was denied too by a defender’s intervention before Woolley, starting a North West Counties League fixture for the first time since April 2017, picked out Matt Russell whose volley was high.

McGowan’s leveller provided for 1874 a path back into the contest but they could not score again to record a first victory.

1874 | Green (GK), Russell, Lee Jackson, Pritchard, Thomas, Jones, Gardner, Freakes (Waite-Jackson 74), Riley (Kennerley 58), McGowan, Joe Woolley (Parker 74) Subs not used Woods, Winthrop Goal McGowan 53 (penalty)

Abbey Hey | Heywood (GK), Ibrahim, Barlow, Louis Edwards, Solademi, Murray, Swallow, Oko, Rodger (Power 89), Shaw (Walker 61), Dale (Nathan Edwards 81) Subs not used Ray, Moore Goal Dale 22

Referee Daniel Bruce  

Attendance 228

Match report by Garry Clarke