Peter Tonge reports on Northwich Victoria’s last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Congleton Town on Boxing Day…

AFTER an even first half, Congleton stepped up in the second and it was only goalkeeper Chris Cheetham's brilliance that kept Vics in the game until last-minute heartbreak.

Town had the first chance of the half as Tom Pope got on the end of a cross but headed over the bar after just five minutes.

This was quickly followed by Vics' first chance after Matt Dudley found Matty Birchall with a first-time flick, but his shot curled just wide of the left post.

Congleton then went ahead a minute later as a corner was whipped in and headed home by Ethan Hartshorn.

However, Vics weren't behind for long.

In the 13th minute, Birchall exquisitely found Dudley’s run into the area and he beautifully slid the ball past David Parton in the Town net.

The match then settled down to what proved an even first half – Ryan Jackson had a shot saved comfortably by Parton whilst Harvey Whyte's effort was blocked for a corner after being set up by Birchall.

Congleton threatened a couple of times as well with their best effort falling to Pope late in the half.

After an even first half, the second half definitely belonged to Town as they laid siege to the Vics' goal.

In the 53rd minute, Cheetham was forced into three magnificent saves.

Firstly he pushed a shot bound for the top corner away then got down well to block a shot from close range before getting a hand to a long range angled shot to tip the ball just past the post.

Three minutes later, Town did get the ball in the net but it was quite rightly ruled out for a handball in the build-up.

Cheetham then pulled off another great double save, firstly from Hartshorn then the follow up from Shakeel Jones-Griffiths.

After 68 minutes, Town thought they had a penalty as Peter Williams went down in the area. The referee rightly waved play on though Town's manager Richard Duffy thought otherwise and was sent from the bench for his protests.

Vics looked to have weathered the storm and were getting back in the match.

In the 77th minute, there was a moment of pinball in the Town box with Vics going close through efforts from Jackson and Kuda Chingwaro.

However Town hadn't given up and from a dubious free kick in the 93rd minute, they played it deep to the far post where Ryan Read headed past Cheetham to give Town the lead.

There was still time for Chingwaro to fire a shot straight at Parton when well placed, but Town ran out deserved winners.

Vics: Cheetham, Camozzi, Allen, Barski, Bennett, R Jackson, Mather, Walker, Whyte, Birchall (Chingwaro 75), Dudley. Subs not used: Clarke, Sotona, Cooney