1874 NORTHWICH remain on course to finish third after recording a fifth successive league win at Squires Gate on Saturday.

Ian Street’s side needed a slice of good fortune to do so, with full back Brett Ferguson diverting substitute Stuart Wellstead’s corner into his own goal in the closing stages.

Any margin of victory was likely to be slender in a close contest.

Matthew Beadle and Neil Chappell both fired off-target during a drab first half, while at the other end Mark Buchan could not control his shot after reaching Alex Murphy’s chipped pass.

Ryan Stewart headed wide for the visitors, while Gate goalkeeper Ben Fletcher stopped Chappell’s attempt before the break.

After the interval, Chappell shot high following fine approach play by Beadle and Paul Connor.

Beadle’s cross-cum-shot clipped the woodwork shortly afterwards, while Chappell was unlucky to see his volley flash wide after meeting Matthew Woolley’s free kick.

Fletcher was alert to deny Beadle, this time from Stewart’s set piece, while Josh Kay fluffed the hosts’ best chance after combining with Harry Dunn.

Gate’s custodian then made his best intervention when saving at full stretch to thwart Beadle after Adam Bayley had ventured forward from defence.

The game’s decisive moment followed from the resulting corner on 80 minutes, Wellstead’s flag kick striking Ferguson before hitting the net after Danny Thomas had narrowly failed to make contact.

Connor almost doubled the visitors’ advantage with time running out, but Fletcher again blocked to deny him.

Gate Fletcher (GK), Richards, Ferguson, Penswick, Westwood, Anderson, McKenna (Rowley), Dunn (Riley), Buchan, Murphy, Kay Sub not used Cunningham

1874 Conkie (GK), Bayley, Ledwards, Mitchell, Thomas, Chappell, Connor, Woolley, Beadle, Ward, Stewart (Wellstead 63) Subs not used Lunn, Pouncey, Duckworth, Bowyer Goal Ferguson 80 (own goal) Booked Beadle

Referee Peter Gooch

Attendance 205

Additional reporting by Brian Edge