1874 NORTHWICH are gathering momentum at exactly the right moment.

Ian Street’s side are now on their longest winning sequence of the season, forming part of a four-strong group in pursuit of leaders Runcorn Town.

If they demonstrated resilience to see off the table-toppers seven days earlier, then this time ruthlessness delivered the same outcome.

In this mood, they will feel they can beat anybody.

The teams were so evenly-matched that a single goal was always likely to separate them.

That’s why having a striker of Tom Bailey’s class more often than not will make the difference.

His tireless contribution outside the penalty area earned reward when he swept in his only opportunity of the afternoon with 11 minutes left.

A defence expertly marshalled by Mark Jones did the rest.

And his teammates, fearful of the Reds in previous meetings according to Street, will feel not feel frightened in future.

“Coming to a place like this, and beating a side that has been in great form and scoring freely, is a big boost to our confidence,” said Street.

“I think this result, taken in conjunction with what we did last week, has given us belief that we can achieve something.”

Beating AFC Liverpool, even one depleted by the absence of key men like Kieron Brislen and Paul Speed, on their own pitch is a first.

Either side might have taken the lead during a frenetic opening.

Connor Belger was denied by Jones’ block, while at the other end Michael White diverted Bailey’s shot over the crossbar. Marvin Molyneux then scrambled the ball off the Reds’ line from the resulting corner.

The half’s outstanding moment arrived on 32 minutes, when Jones slid the ball into Sam Hind’s path.

His driven cross was bound for Bailey until Dimitrios Christou executed perfectly a sliding intervention to deny the front man a certain goal.

Bailey also angled a shot past an upright before the break.

The visitors were superior in a vibrant second period.

Hind’s header clipped the crossbar, Bailey skidded a header wide and Sam Hare prompted goalkeeper Germano Mendes to parry after Scott McGowan rolled the ball his way.

Carey had a glimpse of goal after an hour but his downward header, after Jack Leamey had pounced on Dahrius Waldron’s slip, lacked power.

1874 went closer still on 76 minutes when Ryan Jackson, on as a replacement for Tyler Edwards, brought the best from a stretching Gomes after Bailey redirected Hare’s clipped pass.

Bailey’s match-winning moment bore his trademark, a swish of his right boot sending a loose ball at a corner into the net before a defender had time to blink.

1874 were well-beaten when in the return game in September.

They have evolved plenty since, former uncertainties replaced by the merest hint of a swagger.

Street said: “I’ve told these lads I think they’re as good as anybody else in this league.

“They have to believe it though.”

Bit by bit, they are beginning to.

AFC Liverpool | 4-3-3 | Mendes (GK), Christou, White, Swatton, Molyneux, Calvert (Hont 77), Smith, Belger, Leamey, Carey, Adegbenro Subs not used Wright, Dalton, Whelan, Toohey Booked Smith, Belger, Molyneux, Hunt (all fouls), White, Swatton (both dissent)

1874 |4-4-2 | Hall (GK), Mitchell, Russell, Mark Jones, Thomas, Hare, Hind, Waldron (Matthew Woolley 70), Bailey, McGowan, Edwards (Jackson 46, Jack Woolley77) Goal Bailey 79 Subs not used Lee Jones, Whitlock Booked Russell (kicking the ball away)

Referee Michael Crusham

Attendance 189