Vics 1 Buxton 1 (From Northwich Guardian)

Buxton score last minute leveller to hold promotion-chasing Northwich Victoria

9:30pm Sunday 8th January 2012 in Match reports By Andrew Simpson

THIS was a slip that title-hopefuls Northwich should have avoided.

Their lead might have been slender, but Andy Preece’s men had managed to protect it with little fuss until Dominic Collins needlessly conceded a corner.

That the hosts’ backline then allowed Buxton front man Bradley Barraclough – a tireless runner in a lonely attacking role all afternoon – to score from close range with a free header was a defensive disattention too far.

It could prove costly too.

Vics, short of their best for the most part, seemed certain winners from the moment Jordan Johnson ended the Bucks’ resistance on the hour.

A period of control, started in the minutes before the wide man’s goal, continued in the aftermath.

That spell spawned chances for a second, clinching, strike with Chris Budrys closest when he forced goalkeeper Adam Billard to scrape his low effort onto an upright.

But Vics’ pressure, while concerted, was not irresistible and the visitors hung on.

Top scorer Kieran Lugsden and captain Mark Reed came on as substitutes more in hope than expectation of a leveller for Buxton, consistent with their approach from the outset, were reluctant to be caught out by a counter attack.

That patience paid when Barraclough made his moment matter.

It felt a like a defeat for Vics who, after edging to within a point of leaders Chester following Monday’s win at Ashton, now trail their neighbours by a margin of three again.

“I’m angry,” admitted Preece afterwards.

“We were careless after being in command, and it could come back to haunt us.”

Buxton had been braver in the first half, loan man Oliver Banks warming custodian Ben Hinchliffe’s palms with a rising shot from the contest’s first attack.

Vics seldom looked likely to breach the Bucks’ backline, save for when debutant Tom Burgin blocked brilliantly as Johnson shaped to shoot on the quarter hour.

Budrys headed Lewis Short’s long throw narrowly wide and Burgin got lucky when his attempted clearance flew into Billard’s arms, but Buxton were comfortable.

The best chance fell to Budrys after Burgin made a mess of dealing with a bouncing ball, but his shot was steered too close to Billard.

There was a more familiar intensity to Vics’ attack after the interval, but only after Barraclough’s clever improvisation ended with Hinchliffe helping his volley to safety.

Billard tipped over Johnson’s shot, then player boss Scott Maxfield diverted Ian Kearney’s goal-bound header to safety from the resulting corner.

Budrys had an effort chalked off then Johnson’s swerving shot, although not struck sweetly after Michael Roddy’s cross was cleared to him, found the far corner to break the deadlock.

When Budrys flashed over a header from Short’s cross, Vics were favourites for victory.

Tommy Agus’ free kick, easy pickings for Hinchliffe, reminded the hosts their lead was fragile before replacement Reed scuffed a volley into the floor when well-placed.

“There had been so little danger,” added Preece in reference to Buxton’s attacking threat.

Perhaps a reason his defenders switched off early too.

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Vics (4-2-3-1) Hinchliffe (GK), Disney, Kearney, Collins, Short, Armstrong (Field 60), Roddy, Riley, Johnson, Woolfe, Budrys (Clarke 67)
Subs not used Smyth, Fitzpatrick, Kinsella
Goal Johnson 59
Booked Kearney (foul), Disney (time wasting)

Buxton (4-5-1) Billard (GK), Black, Burgin, Agus, Wilde, Baxendale, Towey, Maxfield (Reed 79), Banks (Lugsden 73), Ridley (Stevens 84), Barraclough
Subs not used Liversidge, Taylor
Goal Barraclough 90
Booked Baxendale, Ridley, Black (all fouls)

Referee Andrew Hutchinson (Wirral)
Attendance 605