1874 NORTHWICH left Colne on Saturday not knowing how to feel after a draw with hosts hopeful of finishing first.

They came from behind to level either side of missing a glut of chances, only to be grateful Jason Hart’s lob came back off the crossbar with time running out.

It was one of those games.

However they can be happy that the previous Saturday’s showing at Squires Gate was unrecognisable compared to this one.

Goalkeeper Greg Hall tipped over Joseph Gaughan’s speculative attempt from distance during the early exchanges, while at the other end Matthew Beadle’s volley clattered an upright.

Neil Chappell jabbed a close-range effort off-target after Colne didn’t clear Ryan Jackson’s corner, but Hall had to be alert to thwart Marc Young from a Reds’ flag kick.

Debutant Tyler Edwards, recruited from Premier Division rivals Maine Road, then fired inches wide after racing clear at the start of the second period.

Colne’s punishment was quick to follow, and they took the lead when Hart steered past Hall after collecting Simon Nangle’s pass.

And the home team might have secured maximum points after an hour, only for Danny Thomas’ brilliantly-executed tackle to deny Joel Melia in shooting stride.

Ian Street’s side drew level on 66 minutes, when Beadle placed a header out of goalkeeper Nosakhare Aghayere’s reach after Jackson and Edwards had combined on the right.

It is the prolific front man’s 20th league goal of the campaign.

When Ryan Mitchell’s headed prompted a smart low save from Colne’s custodian shortly afterwards, 1874 were on course to win.

Instead they breathed a sigh of relief when Hart’s shot, after Hall had aborted a run from his goal to meet Dom Craig’s pass, hit the frame of the goal and Mitchell cleared the rebound.

Colne |Aghayere (GK), Craig, Williams, Coleman, Young, Nangle, Melia, Anderson, Hart, Gaughan (Boyle 77), Morrison Subs not used Taylor, Hoskin, Berwick, Cross Goal Hart 51 Booked Young

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor, Woods, Mitchell, Thomas, Chappell, Jackson, Matthew Woolley, Beadle, Edwards, Wellstead Subs not used Ward, Brooks, Riley, Jack Woolley, Lomas Goal Beadle 66

Referee Martyn Rawcliffe

Attendance 238

Additional reporting by Jack Owen