MATTHEW Beadle fired 1874 Northwich to the North West Counties League summit after they recorded a fifth successive Premier Division victory on Tuesday.

The front man’s 15th goal of the season, in the seconds before half time, sends his side a point clear of Colne.

Ian Street’s side hit the woodwork three times, but in the end had to be content with Beadle’s strike – hammered with force past Abbey Hey goalkeeper Jonathan McIlwaine after a loose ball ran his way.

During the early exchanges, Mike Brandon’s drive crashed against the crossbar.

He was denied again in the opening period, this time when a defender smuggled his effort off the line after debutant Jack Hindle – signed last month from Radcliffe Borough – had conjured an opening.

Beadle’s breakthrough arrived not long after.

Abbey Hey’s best spell followed the interval, when midfielder Sam Freakes flashed an attempt narrowly wide of an upright.

Meanwhile Beadle’s curving attempt was inches off-target at the other end.

1874 survived a scare when Ashford Blake’s had a goal disallowed after being judged to have handled in the build-up.

Another moment of controversy followed when McIlwaine tripped Stuart Wellstead when he bore down on goal, prompting match official Michael Ainsworth to book the hosts’ custodian and award a free kick.

Matthew Ward’s attempt, deflected, hit the goal-frame.

The Manchester outfit responded, and skipper Matthew Woolley blocked Sam Hind’s attempt.

Blake was also left to regret not escaping last-man Craig Farnworth’s attention.

Beadle was next to send a shot against the bar, this time with a spectacular volley from the edge of the penalty area.

In the end one goal was enough to extend the visitors’ unbeaten league run to seven matches.

Six of those have ended in a victory.

Abbey Hey | McIlwaine (GK), Jones, Moss, Flanagan, Smith, Hickman, Hardy, Freakes, Blake, Hind, Pickering (Murray 82) Subs not used Talbot, Hallows, Noon, Heywood Booked Hickman, McIlwaine

1874 | Conkie (GK), Mitchell, Stewart, Farnworth, Woolley, Brandon, Hindle (Connor 62), Kirk, Beadle, Ward, Wellstead Subs not used McNichol, Cawley, Tulloch, Chappell Goal Beadle 45 Booked Beadle

Referee Michael Ainsworth

Attendance 138

Additional reporting by Jack Owen