MATTHEW Woolley’s penalty miss was a pivotal moment as 1874 Northwich suffered a third defeat in their past four games.

With the scores level at 1-1, the hosts’ skipper smashed his attempt against the woodwork after Dominic Chatfield had wrestled Mike Brandon to the ground.

Maine Road took the lead instead when they next went forward, Connor Hughes applying a smart finish after running on to James Flynn’s pass.

Ian Street’s men could not muster a response, and might have been on the receiving end of a bigger defeat had Josh Tinker not shot wildly or Matthew Morgan fired over.

Hughes had threatened during the early exchanges, sending a first-time volley too high from Michael Burke’s assist.

However the visitors did hit the front in the fifth minute, when Jamie Roe contorted his body to score with a superbly-executed overhead kick from Burke’s chipped assist.

1874’s best spell followed, and Matthew Ward flashed an attempt from the edge of the area narrowly wide after combining with Dan Shannon on the left.

From a corner, defender Josh Stadnicki could not make firm enough contact to worry goalkeeper Ryan Livesey.

An equaliser did arrive after half an hour, Brandon placing the ball under the body of Maine Road’s number one after meeting Steve McNichol’s through-ball.

And Brandon thought he had put his side in front when he met Paul Connor’s right-wing cross with his head moments later, only for Livesey to save brilliantly.

Instead, a five-minute spell after the interval was decisive.

1874 | Conkie (GK), Connor, James, Stadnicki, Thomas, McNichol (Tulloch 60), Jackson, Woolley, Brandon, Ward, Shannon (Stewart 35) Subs not used Hunt (GK), Bowyer, Lomas Goal Brandon 31

Maine Road | Livesey (GK), Tinker, Flynn, Mason, Chatfield, Broady, Hill, Morgan (Hulme 87), Burke (Rutter 71), Hughes, Roe Subs not used Savill, Hirst Goals Roe 5, Hughes 51

Referee James Madine

Attendance 251

Additional reporting by Jack Owen