NORTHWICH Victoria almost recovered from a disastrous start, during which they conceded three goals in 15 minutes, to draw with Bootle.

Steve Wilkes’ side at least restored some pride with a second-half fight-back, but it was not enough to avoid a a five-match winning run reaching an end.

They trailed from the sixth minute after Connor Millington let fly with a strike that left goalkeeper Danny Taberner with no chance of making a save.

Ryan Cox was left unmarked to score a second from close-range with his head before Millington found the top-corner direct from a free-kick to extend the Bucks’ lead.

Brad Cooke was unlucky to see a volley flash inches past a post before a last-ditch tackle took the pace off Darrhyl Mason’s shot.

Cox fluffed a sitter by heading off-target when it seemed simpler to score while at the other end custodian Jack McGovern tipped over Joel Brownhill’s curling effort.

A strike from distance struck the post as Bootle picked up where they had left off.

However Vics rallied, and Brownhill converted a penalty in emphatic fashion after Mason had been tripped in the box by Ste Hoy as he attempted to reach Rob Doran’s pass.

Cooke’s effort dipped a fraction late after he ran clear and the hosts’ pressure brought further reward when substitute Jordan Darr slotted a neat finish past McGovern.

The replacement also had Vics’ best chance to level with six minutes left but he could only direct a header straight at Bootle’s number one.

Vics | Taberner (GK), Camozzi, Barski, Fitzgerald, McNally, Whyte (Darr 46), Cooke, Craig, Brownhill, Doran, Mason (Matthews 85) Subs not used Clarke, Kenny, Muir Goals Brownhill 54 (penalty), Darr 70

Attendance 101

Additional reporting by Pete Tonge