WAYNE Goodison has said selecting the same team for successive matches helped 1874 Northwich to record a notable win away to Congleton Town in midweek.

It is only the second time this season they have started a North West Counties League fixture with an unchanged line-up from the previous game.

“It’s no small thing,” said the co-manager.

“And we’ve so rarely had an opportunity to do it because our hand has been forced by injuries or lads not being available.”

Scott McGowan’s goal, driven low out of the reach of goalkeeper Craig Ellison after he cut inside from the left, with five minutes left delivered a fourth Premier Division victory of the campaign for visitors on Tuesday.

It is the striker’s 10th goal against his former club in 1874’s colours.

Beating a top-six side, one that won their first seven games of the season, will boost confidence according to Goodison.

He said: “It was tight, but I felt we just shaded it – we were more incisive.

“We performed well – as we always seem to at their place – against a decent side who deserve to be where they are in the table.

“It does help you feel better when you come out on the right side of a result like that, and perhaps earlier in the season we wouldn’t have done.”

He insists 1874 are improving and would have won more matches to date if their shooting had been more accurate.

The numbers support his view; Northwich have won four of their past seven matches – drawing another – to climb to 10th in the table.

There is work still to do though.

They needed a late leveller from captain Matthew Woolley to rescue a point at Burscough last weekend after again failing to make the most of chances they created earlier on.

“It was the least we deserved,” said Goodison.

“We were frustrated afterwards that we hadn’t won.

“And that’s a sensation we’ve felt a few times this season because we haven’t made the most of our dominance when we’ve had a good spell in games.

“It’s something we’ll keep working on, although at the same time it’s important not to get hung up on it.

“We’ve done shooting practice in training, but while we continue to create opportunities, which we have done consistently, Bow and I will be happy.”

1874 Northwich visit Ashton Athletic tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.