NORTHWICH Victoria – fielding a team almost entirely made up of trialists – twice came from behind to earn a share of the spoils last night, Tuesday.

Their comeback after the interval was in contrast to an anaemic first half showing.

Pete Johnson met namesake Matt’s corner on the volley to put Leek in front on 20 minutes, stealing a march on his marker to score from close range.

And Blues doubled their tally six minutes later when Ash Miller had too much room to turn in Wayne Corden’s deflected cross.

Vics’ only threat came from the long throws of former Morecambe full back Ben Jackson, the best of which ended with Haydn Paul’s header hitting the post early on.

Manager Andy Preece switched to a three-man attack in the second half, introducing Northwich Villa’s top scorer Kwame Barnett.

It paid dividend.

Paul sent a spectacular shot over Leek custodian Andy Ritchie from distance on the hour to halve the visitors’ arrears, then Barnett thumped in a header from George Clegg’s flighted free kick to level.

Leek edged back in front from a rare second half foray forward, Miller finding the target with power after Matt Johnson had skipped behind Vics’ backline.

Northwich should have scored a third goal when defensive pair Cory Sinnott and Dean Siadankay kicked fresh air from Joel Roberts’ angled assist before Preece’s men restored parity with the games’ best moment.

Barnett showed strength – and no little skill – to wait for the right moment to send ex-Everton junior Andy Fowler clear and his finish was expert when face-to-face with Ritchie.

Vics Morrison (GK), Ben Jackson, Sinnott, Siadankay, Walsh, Lee (Randle 61), Roberts, Clegg, Lee Jackson (Barnett 46), Paul, Fowler
Subs not used Disney, O’Brien, Riley
Goals Paul 60, Barnett 71, Fowler 88