Pete Tonge looks back over Northwich Victoria's victory at the Viridor Community Stadium

VICS produced a good solid performance to earn a deserved three points 2-0 at Runcorn Town in the North West Counties Premier Division.

Steve Wilkes' men started the match brightly and a goalmouth scramble in the third minute nearly led to an early lead.

Four minutes later, and we finally found out the answer to the age old question of what happens if the ball hits an overhead power line! Answer, a dropped ball apparently.

Vics took the lead in the 15th minute when Town failed to clear properly. The ball fell to Ryan Winder just outside the area and he promptly drilled the ball into the back of the net.

The Trickies started to sit back and allow Town more time and space and were indebted to a great Joe Camozzi tackle to stop Kieron Holsgrove as he looked destined to score.

In the 29th minute, a deep cross from Niall Holmes was headed wide by Ryan Cox as Town continued to push Vics back.

Three minutes later it was Holsgrove again who forced Chris Cheetham into a fine save at the near post after being found in the box by Ryan Cox.

Cheetham pulled off an even better save three minutes later, again from Holsgrove as he fired in a shot.

As the end of the half neared, Vics came back into it again and Brad Lynch cut in from the left to curl in a great strike which forced Town's keeper Adam Reid into a great full-length save.

Two minutes later, another good save from Reid denied Carl Grimshaw as he fired in a shot from the corner of the area.

Vics started the opening 20 minutes of the second half pushing forward almost continually and created a myriad of chances.

Firstly, Brad Lynch was denied by Reid in the Town net and then Grimshaw scooped a shot over the bar after being played in by Ash Dunn.

Grimshaw was again denied by Reid's fingertip save as he was again put through.

In the 62nd minute, some great interplay by Vics led to Luke Sephton flicking the ball through to the onrushing Ash Dunn but his shot was just inches wide.

Vics were well on top, and came close to extending their lead in the 66th minute as a cross was only cleared to Luke Sephton whose first time shot crashed off the bar.

They did finally get the goal they deserved in the 68th minute as substitute Matty Birchall was found well down the left channel, and he held off a couple of defenders before slotting the ball past the helpless Reid.

Town tried to push forward more but Vics were firm and looking comfortable.

Sam Hunt did force Cheetham into a good save after good work by Holmes and Cox, and Greenop's header from the resultant corner was over the bar.

The same player then had a good chance after being found by Cox, but he dragged his shot wide.

Vics then held on comfortably despite Carl Grimshaw's late sin binning for dissent.

An excellent solid win for the Vics, with the first clean sheet for quite a bit.

They really should have scored a couple more goals from the numerous chances in the second half, but a win is a win.

Vics: Cheetham, Camozzi, Barski (Allen 75), Misambo, Fleming, Dunn, R Winder, Schofield (Clarke 79), Lynch (Birchall 60), Grimshaw, Sephton. Subs unused: Sherlock, J Winder.

Goals: R Winder R (16), Birchall (68).

Northwich are away to league leaders Macclesfield tomorrow, Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm, in an all-ticket affair. See the Vics website for full details.