MIKE Brandon’s brace at Runcorn on Monday helped 1874 Northwich record back-to-back league wins for the first time since November.

The front man, filling in for leading scorer Matthew Beadle, increased his goal tally for the campaign to 17 with a strike in each half.

His first arrived six minutes before the interval, when he slotted low past debutant goalkeeper Phil Priestley after Stuart Wellstead flicked on a long ball.

There had been chances at either end before then, and the visitors were grateful to custodian Greg Hall for smart saves to deny Gareth Grant – twice – and also Sam Houghton.

Priestley turned away efforts from Ryan Jackson and Matthew Woolley before the hosts were reduced to 10 men when full-back Chris Lester was sent off for violent conduct towards Brandon.

The hosts tried to apply pressure in the second period, and went closest to a leveler when captain Paul Shanley’s low attempt fizzed narrowly wide of the target.

At the other end, Priestley denied Craig Farnworth and then Matthew Ward before Brandon made safe the points in stoppage time.

He steered in Jack Woolley’s cross from close range after Neil Chappell’s miscued attempt had landed fortuitously at the substitute’s feet.

Runcorn | Priestley (GK), Lester, Kelly, Dykes, Lawton, Toone (Irlam 79), Shanley, Keddie, Woods, Grant, Houghton (McKillop 46) Subs not used McShane, Ablewhite, Martland Booked Lawton, Keddie Sent off Lester

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor, Lomas, Mitchell, Farnworth, Chappell, Wellstead (Brooks 66), Matthew Woolley, Brandon, Ward, Jackson (Jack Woolley 85) Subs not used Riley, Tulloch Goals Brandon 39, 89 Booked Mitchell

Referee Michael Barlow

Attendance 239

Additional reporting by Garry Clarke