NORTHWICH Victoria’s sequence without a win in the Northern Premier League extended to 10 matches following a narrow reverse at in-form Kidsgrove Athletic on Saturday.

Substitute Drew Matthews gave them hope of rescuing a draw when he fired home Yaw Gyimah’s clever assist with six minutes to go, but Paul Moore’s men could not conjure an equaliser despite applying pressure.

They remain six points from a position of safety as a result.

The visitors acquitted themselves well at the outset, and Gyimah was denied an opening goal by a fine save from Kidsgrove goalkeeper Chris Martin.

Meanwhile at the other end, Vics custodian Dylan Forth had to be alert to keep out Tom Bergin.

Kidsgrove, unbeaten now in four Division One South fixtures and buoyed by an impressive away win at AFC Rushden & Diamonds seven days earlier, took the lead shortly before the break when Harry Clayton swept in after captain Anthony Malbon had sent him clear.

Martin was then prompted to save smartly from Dave Short’s powerful free kick.

Short fired off-target when well-placed early in the second period, but Vics’ momentum dissipated after Malbon again teed up Clayton to make it 2-0.

Matthews’ reply followed later, but Kidsgrove protected their advantage to leave Moore – a former Grove boss – still waiting for a first victory since taking over as manager from Adam Lakeland.

Kidsgrove | Martin (GK), Ashman, Bergin, Davidson (Birchall 61), Austin, Skelton, Diskin (Johns 81), Grocott, Clayton, Malbon Subs not used Street, Hodgkinson, Bath Goals Clayton 37, 68 Booked Grocott

Vics | Forth (GK), Lawrence (Matthews 80), Doran, Fitzgerald, Mannion, Clarke, Bennett, Pritchard (Berrisford 80), Short, Gyimah, Johnson Sub not used Lyndon Goal Matthews 84 Booked Short, Doran

Referee Alex Gray

Attendance 125