JOE Holt scored in stoppage time on Thursday night to help Runcorn Town record a first victory over 1874 Northwich.

He squeezed a ball sent into the visitors’ penalty area past goalkeeper Greg Hall to boost his side’s promotion hopes at the same time as damaging those of a rival.

It turned around a contest the home team had trailed at the interval.

Scott McGowan almost claimed a spectacular goal inside 60 seconds with an overhead kick from Hall’s free-kick that flashed past an upright.

There was little to choose between the teams during the remainder of the opening period until Northwich edged in front three minutes before the break.

McGowan, inevitably, scored it with a powerful header at the back post from Kazim Waite-Jackson’s cross – his 35th goal of a remarkable campaign.

Runcorn applied pressure shortly after the interval, and referee Kristian Silcock turned down their appeal for a penalty after Holt’s forward burst had been ended by Ryan Mitchell’s challenge.

However the match official was persuaded substitute Danny Meadowcroft had handled during a scramble inside the area only moments after his introduction.

Paul McManus’ spot-kick restored parity.

Leading-scorer Craig Cairns was wasteful when he guided a goal-bound effort straight at Hall when left alone in a shooting space.

1874’s defence retreated, and their best attempts were all from distance by McGowan, Matty Russell and Sam Freakes, for the closing stages.

They appeared on course for a share of the spoils too until Holt’s decisive touch with time running out.

Runcorn | Reid (GK), Turner, Carberry, James, Thelwell, McManus, Holt, Hassall (Jarrett 71), Menagh, Cairns (Roxburgh 90), Reed Subs not used Exell, McGregor, Jones Goals McManus 76 (penalty), Holt 90

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor, Russell, Pritchard, Mitchell, Freakes, Hind, Fallon, McGowan, Waite-Jackson, Kennerley (Meadowcroft 73) Subs not used Riley, Lever, Woods, Jack Woolley Goal McGowan 42

Referee Kristian Silcock

Attendance 209

Match report by Garry Clarke