NORTHWICH Victoria’s win at Darlington 1883 on Saturday propelled them back into the title race.

Vics got the only goal of the game early on direct from a corner, Iain Howard watching the ball curl from his delivery off the goalkeeper’s near post into the net.

The victory means the Evo-Stik NPL First Division North’s top three are now separated by three points, with Salford City leading Vics and Darlington in the title hunt.

“In many ways this is our greatest win so far this season ,” said boss Jim Gannon.

“We prepared ourselves tactically very well for this game and the game plan worked a treat.

“That is now six wins in six games with only one goal conceded, and that can only help breed confidence and assuredness in what we are doing. We have stepped up a level at the critical time of the season

“In the coming weeks we face a further three away games in a row and we need to prepare as professionally for those games to ensure we extend our winning run.”

Gannon says it was a performance built on trust.

“I have learnt well from my experiences of previous Darlington games, and we married that with the strengths of the available players to ensure that our game plan matched the player’s capabilities,” he added.

“That combination worked very well for us, and when success is built in such circumstances then trust really grows between coach and players.”

Vics: Deasy, Smalley, Clarke, Henry, Ali, Cook, Howard, Ansah-Palmer (Meadowcroft 26), Grayson, Burnett (Fishwick 46), Bennett (Natache-Mendes 89). Subs not used: Smith, Amis.