IN stoppage time, Padiham sent a hopeful ball into the penalty area towards Curtis Haley.

As he shaped to score another equaliser, an 1874 Northwich player threw himself in the path of the ball to divert it to safety.

Surprisingly, it was Mike Brandon.

But at the end of a contest that featured nine goals, it was perhaps fitting a forward should show the others how to defend.

The 35-year-old was brave and committed, just as he had been for the previous 90 minutes.

Followers of Ian Street’s side have enjoyed an entertaining seven days; three matches at Barton Stadium have yielded 18 goals.

The hosts have won two of those, drawing the other, and return to the table’s top four as a reward.

They were deserving if, ultimately, unconvincing victors against Padiham.

Attacking duo Matthew Beadle and Ryan Jackson, who both scored doubles, will take the plaudits.

But Brandon, in an unfamiliar withdrawn role behind Beadle, was arguably as impressive.

Manager Ian Street is not attempting to make a number 10 of the front man, rather exploiting his strength – when on the ball and in the air – to supply more fleet-footed runners around him.

It worked a treat, too.

The home team ought to have taken the lead on 12 minutes but Beadle, at the end of an attack launched when Brandon’s pass sent Jackson speeding into space on the left, shot feebly.

He was more accurate shortly afterwards, diverting the latter’s cross beyond the reach of goalkeeper Sean Davis from inside the six-yard box.

The Storks’ shot-stopper was then swift from his line to block Jackson’s instinctive attempt.

The visitors drew level on 25 minutes through Kieron Pickup, who kept calm while creating an angle to fire into the net after 1874’s defenders were slow to recognise danger.

A response was instant though, Jackson sweeping in Stuart Wellstead’s assist at the far post.

Brandon and then Beadle, with only Davis to beat, missed chances to extend 1874’s advantage before Alex Ralph – aided by a deflection off Paul Connor, sneaked a shot past Matthew Conkie at his near post.

It was 3-2 when Beadle’s cushioned volley, from Wellstead’s assist, was floated past a stranded Davis.

But Padiham, undeterred, restored parity a third time when Haley headed in Pickup’s centre.

Jackson, a relentless threat from the left all afternoon, then arced in the goal of the game after cutting inside from the touchline.

When Wellstead used the speed of Ryan Stewart’s swerving free kick to flash in a header for 5-3, the game appeared over.

However Pickup, the opposition’s outstanding performer in attack, rolled in a fourth Padiham goal to conclude a counter launched after what the home team felt was a foul on Wellstead.

1874 were anything other than composed in protecting their lead.

Except for Brandon, that is.

“I never felt we had control,” admitted Street afterwards.

“It was a freak game in many ways, and we know we can defend better than that. But we won, and that’s the most important thing.”

1874 | 4-4-2 | Conkie (GK), Connor, Thomas, Lomas, Stewart, Wellstead, Woolley, McNichol, Jackson, Brandon, Beadle Subs not used Haughton, Ward, Mason, James, Tulloch Goals Beadle 15, 49 Jackson 26, 63 Wellstead 70

Padiham | 4-4-2 | Davis (GK), Walne, Parkes, Cowan, Bamba, Murphy, West (Scott 86), Hill (Cross 69), Ralph (Fildes 81), Pickup, Haley Subs not used Turner, Massamba Goals Pickup 24, 80 Ralph 39 Haley 58 Booked Cowan (foul)

Referee Michael Handley

Attendance 256