FOR the third game in a row Northwich Victoria lost a game in which they had taken the lead, writes Pete Tonge.

They were beaten 2-1 at home by Longridge Town on Saturday, slipping one place to 10th in the process.

Tom Kilifin broke the deadlock in the 56th minute but two goals in four minutes from Daniel Birch (65) and Tom Ince (69) saw the visitors leave Wincham Park with all three points.

The first half was a quiet affair with Vics content to frustrate the ball-playing opponents and try and catch them on the break.

Vics had the first two efforts with a shot from Ryan Winder testing Lee Dovey in the Town net, and then Joe Camozzi flashing a shot just wide.

However, Vics were indebted to keeper Danny Taberner in the 16th minute when he produced a fingertip save to deny Ince after he tried an audacious lob.

The rest of the first half produced few clear-cut chances, but plenty of good quick passing from Longridge and determined closing down by Vics limiting the chances.

Tom Powell got down the left for Vics in the 36th minute and fired a shot in which was deflected and saved easily by the keeper, while Longridge broke quickly in the 41st minute and forced Taberner into a fine save.

Vics started the second half by pushing up a little, and closing down on the ball-playing Longridge defenders.

This paid dividends in the 56th minute when great pressure by Powell and Kilifin forced Josh Heaton into an error, and Kilifin took full advantage by coolly slotting the ball past Dovey.

Vics looked comfortable until the 65th minute when the ball was lost cheaply in midfield and the ball was played up to Birch whose shinned cross/shot deceived Taberner for 1-1.

Worse was to follow when a Longridge corner was crossed into the box where Josh Heaton easily headed across for the unmarked Ince to head into the net.

Vics kept huffing and puffing, but could create few chances.

Keiron Kenny had Vics' best chance when he met a free-kick which was floated into the box but his header was straight into the keeper’s arms.

Vics: Taberner, Henry, Kenny, Barski, Peters, Clarke, Camozzi, Pollard, Winder, Kilifin, Powell. Subs not used: Dorney.