THERE were nine minutes left when 1874 Northwich, thanks to a swoosh of substitute Rick Bailey’s left boot, finally found a way through Barnton’s defence.

It was the game’s decisive moment, and keeps Ian Street’s side ahead of their closest pursuers in a race for top spot in the North West Counties League’s Premier Division.

The Villagers’ approach was not pretty, but it was effective.

And, after losing eight of their previous nine league games while conceding 34 goals, understandable.

But it did not stop 1874 from creating chances, particularly in the second half, and goalkeeper Matthew Conkie was kept busy.

Steve Lloyd’s men can still feel rueful, particularly after missing a glorious chance to take the lead shortly after the interval with the teams tied at 1-1.

Midfielder Sam Houghton had only Greg Hall, 1874’s custodian, to beat but he dragged wide his attempt after captain Chris Smith had led a counter down the left.

They did not get as clear a sight of goal again.

Their hosts will feel they had enough of the ball, and spent long enough in Barnton territory, to warrant their victory.

To their credit they were persistent, and did not show it if they felt frustrated.

Conkie jabbed a boot in the way of Mark Jones’ drive on 66 minutes after Scott McGowan laid off.

He helped over McGowan’s attempt from distance shortly afterwards, then stretched fully to tip over Stuart Wellstead’s rising shot after parrying Tom Bailey’s initial attempt.

Referee Nik Stanley was probably the only one in the ground not to spot the former 1874 net-minder had made the merest contact.

Conkie could not thwart his old teammates all night though, and Rick Bailey’s powerful shot – after he combined with Sam Hare on the right – fizzed past him on 81 minutes.

Barnton’s goalkeeper was in the right place again in added time, however, sticking out a foot to deny Tom Bailey after Sam Hind’s dribble had taken him along the by-line.

The Villagers, beaten in similar circumstances when they visited Winsford for an FA Cup tie in August, had taken the lead after 12 minutes.

They survived a scare before doing so; Ryan Mitchell’s header kick clattered the crossbar from Hare’s free kick.

Chris Quirk ghosted into a space behind Mitchell to reach Rob Hope’s lofted pass, then stayed calm to steer a smart finish out of Hall’s reach.

An equaliser followed quarter of an hour later, Hare connecting perfectly with a half-volley after Danny Meadowcroft cleared Wellstead’s cross to where he was waiting on the edge of the penalty area.

Houghton’s opportunity arrived during a slow start after the break by Northwich.

Lee Vaughan was unlucky too when he tried to angle a back-post header into the far corner after another lung-bursting run on the right from the tireless Smith.

Barnton defended deeply for the remainder, but the outcome was an all too familiar one as they again fell short with the finish line in sight.

1874 | 4-3-3 | Hall (GK), Wellstead, Mitchell, Callum Jones (Rick Bailey 75), Russell, Matthew Woolley, Lee Jones, Hare, McGowan (Carroll 83), Tom Bailey, Hind Subs not used Jack Woolley, Simpson Goals Hare 27, Rick Bailey 81

Barnton | 4-5-1 | Conkie (GK), Richards, Coleman, Meadowcroft, Baker, Quirk, Houghton, Hope, Kirk, Vaughan, Smith Subs not used Shaun Alcock, Cobley, Jones, Cross (GK) Goal Quirk 12 Booked Hope (foul)

Referee Nik Storey

Attendance 265