MIKEY White’s winner means 1874 Northwich will have to wait a little longer to beat Linnets for the first time.

The defender escaped the attention of his marker after quarter of an hour, rising unchallenged to score with a header from inside the six-yard box.

Ian Street’s men, unbeaten in five previous Premier Division matches, could not conjure a leveller.

The hosts went close when Ryan Mitchell headed over from a set piece, while returning Ryan Jackson forced goalkeeper Richie Mottram to save shortly afterwards.

At the other end, 1874’s stand-in custodian Tom Hunt had to be alert to thwart Kurt Sherlock with a brave stop.

He pulled off a fine save too from Francis Smith, but Freddie Potter blasted wastefully off-target when the loose ball rolled his way.

In the second period Daniel Shannon was alert to latch onto a weak back-header, prompting Mottram to block.

Kyle Hamid scooped over for Linnets, while Mike Brandon’s drive from distance went the same way.

An equaliser did not arrive despite glimpses of goal for Jackson, Brandon and Mitchell.

Indeed Linnets went closest to scoring, but Potter’s attempt grazed the crossbar after he had controlled with his chest.

Mitchell timed a tackle perfectly to deny Sherlock, but the visitors did not need the comfort of a second goal to secure maximum points.

1874 | Hunt (GK), Connor, James (Beadle 75), Mitchell, Thomas, Chappell, Jackson, Woolley, Brandon, Kirk (Ward 60), Shannon Subs not used Ledwards, Hill, McNichol

Linnets | Mottram (GK), Brislen, Atherton, Humphreys, White, Armstrong, Houghton, Hamid, Potter (Collins 81, Hilton 85), Sherlock, Smith (Ellison 81) Subs not used Halfacre, Buckley Goal White 15 Booked Armstrong

Referee Dean Watson

Attendance 435

Additional reporting by Garry Clarke