NEIL Chappell’s goal separated 1874 Northwich from their hosts following a close encounter on Tuesday.

He steered in Ryan Jackson’s cross from the right in the seconds before the break, earning for his side a victory to follow one against Squires Gate at the weekend.

They can concentrate on Friday’s FA Cup tie against West Didsbury with a perfect start to the season behind them.

The teams traded chances in the first half an hour, Jackson firing off-target from Aidan Haughton’s assist while Paul Foy blazed high at the other end.

Danny Thomas was alert to avert danger with a header, while Chappell prompted former Winsford United goalkeeper Mike Langley to save after receiving Matthew Woolley’s pass.

Carl Murphy was wasteful with a header from a corner for Laird, promoted from Division One at the end of last term.

Jay Clare could not convert a chance for the hosts either.

Chappell’s goal followed, after Jackson had skipped away from a defender on the right, timing a run into the penalty area perfectly to send a first-time shot past Langley.

The visitors suffered a blow when Thomas was forced off with an injury, replaced by Steve McNichol, and Cammell Laird continued to press for an equalizer.

When 1874 did raid forward, substitute Mike Brandon could not reach Jackson’s inviting cross.

He went closer with a header that struck a post, a linesman ruling out a goal after Woolley sent the rebound into the net.

Langley damaged a finger with time running out, and his replacement Kevin Atherton saved smartly to deny Brandon before the final whistle.

Laird | Langley (GK) (Atherton GK 83), O’Brien, Reilly, Ferrigan, Tosny, Clare, Foy, Gibiliru, Cairns, Murphy, Holt (Holmes 57) Subs not used Hartley, Bigland, Dixon Booked Murphy, Holt

1874 | Conkie (GK), Connor, James, Thomas (McNichol 55), Lomas, Chappell, Kirk, Woolley, Haughton (Brandon 74), Ward, Jackson Subs not used Everall, Hill, Ledwards Goal Chappell 45

Referee Mike Barlow

Attendance 127