THEY got lucky, but 1874 Northwich won’t care after climbing to second in the table.

Matthew Woolley’s goal, diverting a defender’s clearance past goalkeeper Dean Porter shortly before the break, separated two closely-match teams.

It meant Ian Street’s men reached the end of September with five wins from six league matches, conceding a single goal.

They started brightly, with Matthew Beadle prompting Porter so save smartly following fine approach play by Matthew Ward.

Bootle replied when Sean Coulton volleyed high after Dominic McGivern had conjured an opening, then Beadle steered wide from another Ward assist.

Mike Brandon was next to go close, first after Ward and Beadle combined then after taming Ryan Mitchell’s long pass.

The pattern did not deviate, with Ward shooting off target with his weaker right foot after Beadle and Woolley had swapped passes in the build-up.

1874 opened the scoring five minutes before interval when Beadle’s cross was kicked by a defender against Woolley as he closed in.

The ball wriggled its way into the bottom corner.

A second goal almost followed, but Danny Thomas’ header from a free kick was too close to Porter.

Another collective move after half time ended with Brandon firing straight at Bootle’s custodian.

At the other end, Matthew Conkie had to be alert as he tipped the ball around an upright.

The monologue of Brandon chances continued when he lobbed another attempt off target following Chappell’s pass.

Bootle then enjoyed their most productive spell, which included Kurt Sherlock’s shot clipping the crossbar.

It proved to be their most threatening moment, for 1874 finished with Beadle, Brandon and substitute Stuart Wellstead – returning after an injury – each trying without success to widen the hosts’ margin of victory.

1874 Conkie (GK), Woolley, Duckworth, Thomas, Mitchell, Chappell, Beadle, Jones, Brandon (Wellstead 73), Ward, Tandy Subs not used Fossdyke (GK), Short, Crofts, Gill Goal Woolley 40 

Bootle Porter (GK), Brislen, Harris, McQueen, Coulton, Tyson, McGivern, McShane, Peterson, Sherlock, Smart Subs not used Cowderoy (GK), Essery Booked Smart, Coulton

Referee Joe Simpson

Attendance 289