IF 1874 Northwich supporters were unsure how to feel watching their side playing one they used to follow, they at least had certainty by full-time.

Relief probably came before pride.

In football terms, they have a place in the next round of the Cheshire FA Senior Cup.

More broadly, they appear to have a team – for now, at least – that is better equipped to play at the level Vics currently do.

There wasn’t a huge difference between them, and the hosts could breathe easy only after Tom Bailey had been alert to snaffle a second goal after the interval to add to one he claimed in the moments before half-time.

Ian Street’s side, while posing a greater threat, relied on a stroke of fortune to break through.

Referee Joe Hull ignored their appeals for Lanre Olopade to be dismissed after Vics’ full-back cynically ended Lee Jones’ surge towards goal.

The resulting free kick, taken by Bailey, took a decisive deflection of the wall before limping into the net.

Goalkeeper Dylan Forth, expecting the ball to arc towards the opposite corner, could not change direction in time.

Northwich Guardian:

1874 Northwich midfielder Sam Hare makes forward progress

Jason Carey had fluffed a header, after being left unmarked, at the far post when meeting Matthew Russell’s cross in the third minute.

Sam Hind fired over, while at the other end former 1874 front man Dave Short’s low attempt forced custodian Greg Hall to act.

Carey fizzed another attempt wide of the far post after cutting inside from the right, but in truth the game only fleetingly spluttered to life.

Kieran Nolan’s tackle from behind on Bailey – which earned him a deserved caution – woke everybody up, only for a lull to then follow.

After Bailey pounced to double 1874’s lead, they visibly relaxed.

Carey drilled wide from distance, then Lee Jones stung Forth’s palms with a shot from outside of the penalty area.

Alex Johnson’s effort whistled wide at the other end before Vics’ own shouts for a spot kick, when Stuart McDonald went down after contact with Hind, fell on deaf ears.

“Weird,” was a word used by one 1874 fan afterwards to describe the atmosphere.

He was smiling.

When your team has a player like Bailey, who has 24 goals now this season, you often will.

1874 | 4-3-3 | Hall (GK), Connor, Mitchell, Thomas, Russell, Mark Jones, Lee Jones, Hare, Carey (Edwards 78), Bailey (McGowan 87), Hind (Jack Woolley 90) Subs not used Matthew Woolley, Whitlock Goals Bailey 45, 54 Booked Carey (foul)

Vics | 4-4-2 | Forth (GK), Olopade (Burey 59), Nolan, Lyndon, Pritchard, McDonald, Doran, Matthews, Clarke, Johnson, Short Subs not used McCoy (GK), Moore Booked Nolan, Olopade, Burey, McDonald (all fouls)

Referee Joe Hull

Attendance 358