BY the end 1874 Northwich’s latest victory – their sixth in succession – felt a comfortable one.

They needed the cushion of a second goal, scored on 72 minutes by Neil Chappell, to be sure of subduing stubborn opponents who had – if only fleetingly – threatened to equalise.

Instead Ian Street’s men, six points clear of fourth-placed Colne with four matches left, are favourites now to secure a top-three finish the manager craves.

After winning on five occasions during a 10-day spell, hitting the net 18 times, they will have earned it too.

Chappell delivered a typically all-action performance; the midfielder was booked for a clumsy tackle in between scoring with two emphatic finishes, before later escaping a second caution when referee Andrew Cawtherley responded leniently to a hefty challenge.

The 29-year-old’s drive from the centre of the pitch, as it has been so often, was a spark for the hosts’ best moments.

His perseverance was rewarded in the minutes after half time, when he chased Matthew Ward’s quickly-taken free kick.

Congleton full back Nathan Haynes did protect the ball as he attempted to usher it out of play, instead losing it to Chappell.

The 1874 man caught custodian Dale Eve equally unprepared, squeezing a fiercely-struck shot past the goalkeeper at his near post from an acute angle.

It gifted to the home team a breakthrough they had toiled for before the break.

They survived a scare on 58 minutes when Chris Smith, with the goal at his mercy, blazed over after goalkeeper Matthew Conkie had parried Scott McGowan’s drive into his path.

Matthew Beadle, sent clear by Ward, stumbled on the ball in shooting stride at the other end.

Congleton went close again on 70 minutes, this time when skipper Andrew Langford’s header skimmed narrowly wide from Luke Sephton’s free kick.

The Bears’ hopes of a recovery were dealt a terminal blow shortly afterwards when Chappell, teed up by Beadle’s touch, blasted with force past Eve from inside the penalty area.

Conkie saved smartly when Sephton’s drive speared his way, but Congleton did not threaten again.

Neither side did in a tepid first half during which Mike Brandon’s deflected effort, following fine approach play by Paul Connor, was the best attempt on goal.

Former 1874 midfielder Rick Bailey arced an effort wide, while McGowan failed to connect cleanly when he had a glimpse of the target.

“I’d love for us to reach the end of the season without losing again,” said Street afterwards.

In this form, his side might just do that.

1874 (3-5-2) Conkie (GK), Mitchell, Thomas, Lomas, Connor, Chappell, Matthew Woolley, Ward, Ledwards, Beadle, Brandon (Lunn 77) Subs not used Wellstead, Joe Woolley, Bayley, Stewart Goals Chappell 48, 72 Booked Chappell (foul)

Congleton (4-4-2) Eve (GK), Middleton, Whiteoak, Langford, Haynes, Bailey (Whelan 83), Kirk, Scott Sephton, Luke Sephton (Eder 78), McGowan, Smith Subs not used James, Pearson Booked Kirk (foul)

Referee Andrew Cawtherley

Attendance 289