SHAW Lane proved too strong for Northwich Victoria on Wednesday, ending a three-match unbeaten run for Paul Moore’s improving team.

The visitors scored twice in each half at Wincham Park, where they took the lead after quarter of an hour when former Vics attacker Gary Burnett looped a header into the bottom corner.

It was the first conceded by the hosts' defence in more than five hours.

Debutant Niall Sultan’s attempt was blocked by defender Ryan Qualter at the other end before the visitors doubled their lead when Gavin Allott finished smartly after racing onto Spencer Harris’ pass.

Godwin Abadaki went closest to scoring before the break, scorching away from two opponents only for his goal-bound effort to be diverted for a corner by the Ducks’ Kelvin Lugsden.

Vics goalkeeper Dylan Forth was called into action to make saves from Kieran Lugsden and Burnett after the interval before Harris deflected in a third goal from Alex Byrne’s well-struck shot.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men when front man Dave Short was sent off by referee Nick Storey for violent conduct.

Substitute Jack Kelleher was denied by full-back Ben Algar’s intervention before Shaw Lane added a fourth goal to their tally.

Allott strode clear again, this time from Kieran Lugsden’s assist, to score emphatically at the second attempt after Northwich captain Reece Lyndon had blocked his initial effort.

Vics | Forth (GK), Clarke (Gyimah 73), Fitzgerald, Lyndon, Mannion, Doran (Kelleher 58), Bennett, McDonald, Short, Sultan (Matthews 65), Abadaki Sub not used Shaw Booked Clarke Sent off Short

Shaw Lane | Stewart (GK), Austin, Algar, Lenighan, Kelvin Lugsden, Qualter, Byrne, Harris, Allott (Radford 89), Kieran Lugsden, Burnett Subs not used Tuohy, Zaniewski, Elliott Booked Austin Goals Burnett 15, Allott 35, 89 Harris 65

Referee Nick Storey

Attendance 102

Match report by Jamie Dewsbury