SCOTT McGowan’s double made safe maximum points for 1874 Northwich as they extended a winning run in the North West Counties League to six matches.

His brace arrived late, ending the resistance of opponents that belied their lowly position in the Premier Division table.

It keeps a side managed by Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison upwardly mobile, and they will close in on the top-half if they complete a double over Maine Road next weekend.

They took the lead after 20 minutes on Saturday when Taylor Kennerley curled a direct free-kick around the visitors’ defensive wall and out of goalkeeper Dom Garner’s reach.

McGowan’s effort from the edge of the area whistled narrowly wide, while at the other end custodian Greg Hall saved Joe Whittington’s low shot.

1874 continued to apply pressure, and Jake Parker was inches from diverting Kennerley’s cross into the net.

Ben Woods went closer still when his effort struck a post.

Liverpool had their moments too, and Kevin Edgar called Hall into action before Lee Hughes’ acrobatic shot flew high.

They drew level from their first attack of the second-half when Edgar hammered a loose ball past Hall after John Holmes’ header had clattered an upright.

1874 responded swiftly, and Ryan Mitchell restored their lead when he stooped to head another Kennerley set-piece into the goal from close-range.

Garner reacted smartly to help Parker’s shot onto the crossbar, while his teammates continued to pose a threat.

Edgar twice went close for the Reds, on the second occasion forcing Hall to turn his attempt away for a corner.

The 1874 number one’s opposite number, formerly on Witton Albion’s books, was equal to a strike from distance by substitute Kazim Waite-Jackson.

He palmed to safety a dangerous cross from Kennerley and blocked bravely to thwart another replacement in the form of Ryan Jackson.

However he could not prevent McGowan from making it 3-1 after meeting Parker’s pass, and was beaten again from the penalty spot after Holmes had felled Jackson in the area.

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor, Woods, Pritchard, Mitchell, Matthew Woolley, Whitlock (Ryan Jackson 74), Lever (Waite-Jackson 69), McGowan, Parker, Kennerley Subs not used Riley, Lee Jackson, Haughton Goals Kennerley 20, Mitchell 51, McGowan 85, 88 (penalty) Booked Waite-Jackson, Mitchell

Liverpool | Garner (GK), Howell, Billington, James Anderson Hill 33), Holmes, Chris Anderson, Boden (Schorah 68), Weston, Edgar, Whittington, Hughes (Ruttledge 58) Subs not used Cookson (GK), Sloane Goal Edgar 46 Booked Billington, Anderson

Referee Jake Topp

Attendance 276

Match report by Garry Clarke