JOHNNY Gorman’s goal could not spark a comeback by Northwich Victoria who succumbed to a fourth defeat in their past five matches.

His shot beat goalkeeper Aaron Ashley, via a slight deflection, to halve the home team’s arrears with 15 minutes left.

Steve Wilkes’ side applied pressure, and Brandon Barski’s header was diverted to safety by West’s custodian with his fingertips.

He intervened again in added time to preserve a lead established by strikes earlier in the second-half from Tom Bailey and Joe Shaw.

The former 1874 Northwich striker converted from close-range to open the scoring on 50 minutes, applying the finishing touch to a move that involved Shaw, Matty Kay and Ash Woods.

And the visitors doubled their lead shortly afterwards when Shaw scrambled a loose ball into the net after his initial header from Ben Steer’s cross had been saved by Michael Donlon.

Gorman’s reply set up a tense finale, but West held on to secure a third successive away win at the same time as avenging a defeat in the reverse fixture.

There had been little to choose between the teams in the first half.

Matt Eckersley headed over Steer’s cross at the far post for Vics, who had a goal ruled out for offside following a free-kick.

Brian Matthews lobbed one effort off-target and sent another wide from Joe Whittington’s cross.

A visit from AFC Darwen on Tuesday provides an opportunity to return to winning ways.

Vics visit Widnes on Friday.

Vics | Donlon (GK), Shinks, Clarke, Adam Weston (Bickett 83), Kenny, Barski, Gorman, Bennett, Matthews, Hassall, Whittington (Durnin 67) Subs not used Lawrence, Allen Weston, Johnson Goal Gorman 72 Booked Clarke, Gorman, Shinks , Durnin

West | Ashley (GK), Olapade, Mason, Eckersley, Middleton, Sergeant, Steer, Kay, Bailey (Massamba 79), Woods, Shaw (Rogers 72) Subs not used Eiselt, Whyment Goals Bailey 50, Shaw 68 Booked Ashley

Attendance 119