Northwich Victoria 0 Sutton Coldfield Town 1

VICS fell to their first defeat under new boss Lee Ashcroft.

Saturday’s loss after back-to-back wins was decided by Louis Keenan’s 73rd minute penalty as Northwich finished the game with 10 men.

They came close to being in front themselves on a day when Matthew Challoner arrived on loan from Blackpool to make his debut.

Jack Duggan poked the ball home on 66 minutes, latching on to a swinging cross from Kevin Leadbetter before spotting the raised flag signalling offside.

Vics looked the likeliest to get an early breakthrough too.

Scott Harries’ cross-come-shot was hacked away by Lee Evans and then Brian Summerskill’s rasping shot was palmed away by the custodian, with Leadbetter sending the rebound over the crossbar.

A familiar face almost squirmed through for Sutton’s first clearcut chance after 20minutes.

The danger was cleared by a powerful Jack Duggan tackle on former Vics striker Mark Danks, fondly remembered for his five-goals haul in the 8-0 demolition of Bardon Hill Sports in the giant-killing FA Cup run of 2009/10.

Kristian Ramsey-Dickson came within inches of giving Coldfield the lead, Ryan Robinson’s outstretched leg being enough to deny the visitors.

Ricky Mercer, staying up from a corner kick, almost trickled the ball in when a Brian Summerskill shot was deflected but Evans dived to clutch the ball.

The half’s closing moments belonged to the visitors, the best effort a Lee Parsons header going narrowly over the bar from an inswinging Daryl Taylor corner.

A fast and furious start to the second half was sparked with Danks rifling over the cross bar.

Harries tried to make room for the trigger foot but was out muscled by Kettle to deny a good opportunity.

Northwich pushed again and a free kick by Alex Taylor bobbled in front of Evans, who could only push the ball in the direction of Amis but was quick to gather at the second attempt.

It was harsh on Ian Kilford that he was judged to have fouled Mark Danks in the area for Keenan to slot home the winner from the spot.

Substitute Gavin Salmon nearly equalised for Vics but his curled effort was pulled in by Evans.

Leadbetter’s red card for a dangerous challenge on Reece Leek was the end of Vics hopes.

Vics Robinson (GK), Challoner, Duggan, Mercer, Mooney (Salmon 74), Harries, Summerskill, Kilford (Guest 74), Leadbetter, Taylor, Amis. Subs not used Hardiker, Peach, Roberts. Attendance 97