IT’S rare that 1874 Northwich fail to score, and they did everything but on Tuesday.

In fact, it is their first goalless stalemate in a North West Counties League fixture since April of last year.

However opponents that had won seven successive home games, including when promotion-chasing Runcorn Town and Atherton Collieries have visited, it can be considered a positive result.

Neil Chappell fired narrowly wide early on, while at the other end Ryan Cox’s attempt clipped an upright.

Ryan Jones, in Bootle’s goal, saved instinctively to thwart Matthew Woolley’s chipped attempt shortly afterwards.

He was equal to Chappell’s next attempt too after the midfielder made a driving run from the centre of the field.

1874 went closer still at the start of the second period when Scott McGowan, after cutting in from the right, curved a left-footed attempt onto a post with Jones beaten.

Chappell could not control a volley from Sam Hare’s cross, while Jones stretched fully to divert Matthew Woolley’s drive with his fingertips on 65 minutes.

Bootle, among the Premier Division’s leading scorers, continued to pose a threat.

1874 goalkeeper Greg Hall saved low to parry Cox’s attempt after he had combined with former Witton Albion midfielder Carl Peers.

His next intervention was more spectacular after the latter had unleashed a powerful effort from outside the area.

Joe Woolley, on a substitute and making his second debut for 1874 following a switch from Kidsgrove, was next to attempt to break the deadlock when his shot drifted wide.

1874’s clearest chances arrived with time running out, first when Sam Hind headed over from a corner.

Chappell flicked on another flag kick, but the ball rolled across the face of goal without a decisive touch from a teammate.

Bootle | Ryan Jones (GK), Girvin, Carberry (Ellis 66), Murphy, Powell, Hoy, Ordish (Hay 89), O’Connor, Steve Jones (Howell 60), Peers, Cox Subs not used Hamilton, Doherty Booked Peers, Cox

1874 | Hall (GK), Lever (Jack Woolley 82), Russell, Mitchell, Thomas, Chappell, Hare, Matthew Woolley, Tom Bailey, McGowan (Joe Woolley 71), Hind Subs not used Rick Bailey, Tulloch, Carroll

Referee Barry Lamb

Attendance 170

Additional reporting by Jack Owen