SCOTT McGowan was the hero as 1874 Northwich twice came from behind to defeat promotion rivals Longridge Town 3-2 in a Townfield thriller on Tuesday night.

After weeks without any league football due to waterlogged pitches, the action exploded back into life with an encounter that had everything – a disallowed goal, a penalty save, three woodwork smashes, a red card and McGowan’s winning strike from a corner in the 90th minute just 60 seconds after Jack Tinning had levelled matters.

It was McGowan’s sixth goal in four games, his 18th league effort of the campaign, while he’s now one away from 30 in all competitions.

Tinning, a 65th-minute replacement for Matt Russell soon after Longridge midfielder Danny Wilks was sent off for a second bookable offence, got on the end of a squared ball by Harry Cain to slam home an 89th-minute equaliser.

The league leaders had been behind for a second time since the 52nd minute when Richard Seear netted.

Matt Woolley put 1874 level first time round when a superb cross from a free-kick by Taylor Kennerley was perfect for him to nod home moments before half time.

Longridge had broken the deadlock in the 22nd minute through Tom Ince’s effort.

The visitors hit the woodwork twice before that opener, the first from a quick break from a 74 corner but Daniel Wilkinson’s curler hit the post in the 17th minute.

Soon after it was the crossbar that saved 1874 after a corner had not been cleared and Troy Carsley struck for home.

Seven minutes after going ahead goalkeeper Tony Aghayere was adjudged to have fouled Seear and a penalty was awarded.

But Aghayere produced a fantastic save and 1874 seemed to settle down from there on.

At 2-1 down with 16 minutes remaining a shot was deflected onto the Longridge bar and seconds later Lee Jackson had a goal ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.

The goals they were threatening eventually arrived in a dramatic finale.