1874 NORTHWICH crashed to a heaviest league defeat in front of their own supporters against the Premier Division’s form team.

Rampant Reds recorded an eighth successive win, and closed to within two points of Ian Street’s men in the table.

They have now beaten 1874 in two of three meetings in all competitions this season.

Colne were brighter than their hosts from the outset, prompting goalkeeper Matthew Conkie to save from Simon Nangle and Danny Boyle during the early exchanges.

Leading scorer Matthew Beadle dragged an attempt wide at the other end while his next attempt, on the turn after controlling the ball with his chest, was blocked by a defender.

Jordan Johnson’s shot was then saved by Colne custodian Chris Thompson, while Mike Brandon nodded wide Stuart Wellstead’s cross.

The visitors scored first in the moments before half time when Spencer Jordan ran onto a through-ball before shooting with power past Conkie.

1874 went close to an equaliser at the start of the second period when Thompson failed to claim Lee Duckworth’s free kick, but a back-marker diverted Beadle’s attempt to safety after he was first to the loose ball.

On 58 minutes, Colne made it 2-0 when Boyle sent an angled drive beyond Conkie to claim his 30th goal of the campaign.

He converted from the penalty spot to add to their advantage with a quarter of an hour left.

Brandon’s close-range header, from Johnson’s cross, was off-target before Danny Thomas reduced the hosts’ arrears when he jumped highest to convert Matthew Woolley’s free kick.

Beadle had another effort smuggled from the goal-line during 1874’s best period of pressure, but they conceded a fourth goal before full time when substitute Ed Cockett converted.

1874 Conkie (GK), Connor, Duckworth (Abdullah 65), Mitchell, Bayley, Thomas, Wellstead (Mannion 39), Woolley, Brandon, Beadle, Johnson (Lunn 75) Subs not used Abreu, Pouncey Goal Thomas 77 Booked Mitchell

Colne Thompson (GK), Stockdale, Williams, Coleman, Young, Nangle, Garvin (Tinker 77), Anderson, Jordan (Barski 85), Boyle (Cockett 88), Demaine Subs not used Cross, Cunningham Goals Jordan 44, Boyle 57, 75 (penalty), Cockett 89 Booked Coleman, Nangle

Referee Phil Dermott

Attendance 298

Additional reporting by Garry Clarke