1874 NORTHWICH came so close to ending their losing run this afternoon, but their clash with Avro ended in sadly familiar fashion.

Greens, who gave a debut to former Burnley and Wigan midfielder Chris McCann in the engine room, had looked like earning a morale-boosting victory when Lucas Weir gave them a 70th minute lead against Avro at Townfield with their first goal in nearly a month.

However, Ben Wharton quickly equalised for the play-off chasing visitors before striking a late winner to condemn 74 to a fifth consecutive defeat in the Northern Premier League West.

They remain third from bottom, two points clear of Trafford in the final relegation spot.

Witton Albion had a tough afternoon on their travels, with three first-half goals doing the trick in a 4-1 defeat at high-flying Leek Town.

The hosts were 3-0 up inside 34 minutes thanks to Rob Stevenson’s double – the first of which came from the penalty spot – and a further strike from Dan Trickett-Smith, with Tom Carr adding a fourth shortly after half time.

Jon Macken’s side did at least have the final word, however, when Connor Hughes converted a penalty in the dying minutes.

Meanwhile, Northwich Victoria marked their first game at their new home with a dramatic late winner in the Midlands Football League.

Malakai McKenzie struck an injury-time goal to secure a 2-1 victory for Vics against Darlaston Town, who had cancelled out Brandon Barski’s opener at Barton Stadium before the break.

Lostock Gralam’s defence of the JB Parker Challenge Cup began with a 2-0 victory at AFC Knowsley, with Joel Hind netting a brace for the Grey Lambs.

Winsford Town also made cup progress, thrashing Newton Athletic 5-1 at Winsford Academy in the JA Walton Cup.

Player-manager Rob Hopley was among five different scorers for Town as Will Eaton, James Dean, Adam O’Mara and Zach Billinge also netted.