1874 NORTHWICH will be relieved to reach the end of August.

They haven’t won any of their seven matches, and were denied a first win at Barton Stadium on Monday when Billy Whittle levelled for Northwich Victoria in the second-half.

He prodded a loose ball into the net from a quickly-taken free-kick that caught their hosts by surprise.

1874, seeking to put behind them the disappointment of a defeat against Padiham on the same pitch 48 hours earlier, had taken the lead inside five minutes.

Vics goalkeeper Danny Taberner dithered while preparing to clear, and Scott McGowan charged down his attempt before rolling the ball into an empty net.

Buoyed, the home team had another glimpse of goal a minute later when Joe Woolley slipped a pass into McGowan’s path.

However this time the custodian smuggled the ball behind for a corner.

It was to be McGowan’s last involvement, and he left the field shortly afterwards with a tight hamstring to be replaced by Matthew Beadle.

Vics responded, and Stuart McDonald headed wide of the target before Rob Doran blazed high from a free-kick.

1874 finished the half strongly, and Woolley’s shot was blocked after Kazim Waite-Jackson teed him up.

Taberner saved from Callum Gardner, while referee Thomas Swift was unimpressed with appeals for a penalty when Beadle’s attempt appeared to strike a defender’s arm.

Matt Green, 1874’s number one, reacted smartly to deny Brandon Barski early in the second period after the defender had sneaked into a space at the far post.

Steve Wilkes’ men improved, enjoying a greater share of possession, and Whittle restored parity on 74 minutes.

John Connolly invited Joe Camozzi to join the attack when he took a set-piece quickly.

Vics' captain picked out Kieron Kenny, but his shot was blocked by Jack Pritchard on the goal-line.

However Whittle rerdirected the ball into the net.

Connolly’s drive from distance was off-target, while at the other end Beadle diverted Gardner’s cross into the six-yard box where Taberner saved bravely at the feet of Mark Jones.

1874 | Green (GK), Connor, Lee Jackson, Pritchard, Mitchell, Jones, Joe Woolley (Woods 73), Kazim Waite-Jackson, McGowan (Beadle 12), Gardner, Freakes Subs not used Winthrop, Russell, Samberg (GK) Goal McGowan 5 Booked Beadle (foul)

Vics | Taberner (GK), Camozzi, Monson, Craig, Kenny, Barski, Whittle, Stuart McDonald, Doran, Brownhill, Connolly Subs not used Shinks, Michael McDonald, Bickett, Ayres, Scott (GK) Goal Whittle 74 Booked Doran, Brownhill (both fouls)

Referee Thomas Swift

Attendance 371

Match report by Garry Clarke