IT was exactly the result 1874 Northwich needed ahead of the biggest game of their season so far next Saturday.

And as a bonus they played well – in the second half particularly – to achieve it.

Ian Street’s side made the most of good fortune too, most notably when referee Michael Crusham deflected a pass inadvertently into Mark Jones’ path in the build-up to the home team’s second goal.

But by the end there was a sense they did not need to be lucky to win.

There was an efficiency to their performance; Tom Bailey and Jason Carey both scored from their first attempts on goal, and their greater purpose after the interval put their guests persistently on the back foot.

Their reward is to sit second in the North West Counties League Premier Division table, for 48 hours at least, before title-rivals Bootle visit Atherton Collieries - 1874's hosts next weekend - on Monday.

From the moment Bailey steered in Joe Woolley’s cross after just 24 seconds – the fastest goal in 1874’s short history – they will have expected to assume control.

However that did not happen and the visitors, 4-1 victors in the return game in August, instead saw more of the ball.

Richard Seear, cutting inside after receiving Michael Hall’s swept pass, prompted 1874 goalkeeper Greg Hall to claw his curling shot to safety.

The home team then got lucky to double their lead after half an hour when the match official diverted the ball to Jones, who sent Carey clear.

He kept calm, skipping inside a recovering defender before slotting out of custodian Joe Griffith’s reach.

Northwich Guardian:

Jason Carey jumps for joy after scoring his first goal for 1874 Northwich - their second of the game - against Squires Gate. Picture: M Darlington Photography

At the other end, Brett Dawson’s attempt drifted wide after he had spun sharply on the edge of the box.

He was more accurate in added time, shooting with power into the far corner at the end of a counter attack started by player-manager Danny Penswick clearing an 1874 corner.

It was a goal their perseverance deserved.

However they could not continue where they had left off once the second period started, and 1874 took the initiative.

Carey jabbed an effort goal-wards that Griffith blocked with a boot before a defender smuggled Ryan Mitchell’s header off the line from a corner.

While in charge, 1874 knew they needed the comfort of a third goal.

And when it arrived, on 69 minutes, the source was an unlikely one.

Woolley was alert to nudge a short corner Sam Hare’s way, and Lee Jones made the sweetest of contacts with his cross to send a volley into the top corner.

Able to relax, they threatened to add to their tally when Griffith parried Bailey’s free kick and Mark Jones drilled narrowly over.

A fourth goal duly arrived 11 minutes from time when Bailey converted from the penalty spot after Griffith clumsily tripped Carey.

1874’s leading scorer, who teed up his teammate with a perfectly-angled pass, has hit the net now 29 times this season.

Dawson was thwarted by Hall’s fingertip save at the other end, but by then Gate were forlorn and soundly-beaten.

1874 | 4-3-3 | Greg Hall (GK), Connor, Mitchell, Farnworth, Russell, Lee Jones, Mark Jones (Matthew Woolley 81), Hare (Edwards 77), Joe Woolley, Bailey (McGowan 81), Carey Subs not used Waldron, Douglas Goals Bailey 1, 79 (penalty) Carey 29, Lee Jones 69 Booked Carey (dissent), Lee Jones (foul)

Gate | 4-4-2 | Griffith (GK), Carroll, Rossall, Alexander, Bamba (Thornber 75), Seear (Haley 74), Penswick, Michael Hall, Higham, Noblet, Dawson Sub not used Richards Goal Dawson 45 (+1) Booked Penswick (dissent), Bamba, Dawson (both fouls)

Referee Michael Crusham

Attendance 209