ROB Doran capped a fine display with a goal that put Northwich Victoria on the road to victory against Charnock Richard on Saturday.

He broke the stalemate in an end-to-end North West Counties League Premier Division affair with a powerful header in the 72nd minute when he got on the end of a pin-point cross from the right by Joe Camozzi.

It was fine reward for Doran's dominance up front, typified by an acrobatic overhead volley that narrowly went wide of a left post moments before he put Vics ahead.

It still needed Jordan Darr's strike in the fourth minute of injury time to finally finish off game visitors and put behind them a disappointing 3-2 home defeat against Bootle the previous weekend.

And while completing a double over Charnock, Steve Wilkes' side placed themselves sixth on the ladder for Christmas.

For a long time though, it looked like the outcome could go either way.

Both teams pushed forward at every opportunity, with a long-range shot from Charnock's dangerous striker Carl Grimshaw after three minutes setting the tone.

Joel Brownhill came close three times for Vics in the first half.

His first effort was blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Kyle Haslam, his second was saved and his final attempt found the side-netting.

At the other end a blaster from Mark Woods called on Northwich custodian Danny Taberner to intervene and a header was put wide by Grimshaw.

His cross in the second-half then somehow managed to evade Joe Noblet a yard out from goal before Doran took decisive action.

Vics | Taberner (GK), Camozzi, Barski, Fitzgerald (Kenny 71), Monson, Whyte (Clarke 87), Cooke, Craig, Brownhill (Darr 70), Doran, Mason Subs not used Matthews, Whittle Goals Doran 72, Darr 90 (+4) Booked Monson (foul)

Charnock | Haslam (GK), Bibby, Walker, Young, Schofield, Carsley, Davison, Fairhurst, Grimshaw, Noblet (Oxley 80), Woods (Higham 86) Subs not used Turner, O'Farrell Booked Bibby (foul)

Attendance 143