NOBODY was sure how to feel at the end of a game both sides could argue they should have won.

Apart from Matthew Beadle, that is.

He wore a smile after converting a pair of penalties that earns him a share of the lead in the league’s leading goal-scorers’ chart.

The second of those, which increases his personal tally to 33, earned 1874 Northwich – who played for more than an hour with 10 men following Paul Connor’s first-half dismissal – a deserved draw against their landlords.

After conceding 10 times over two humiliating defeats earlier in the week, Winsford United will be content with a point.

This was an improved performance on those no-shows, although they may feel a tinge of regret at letting slip a 2-1 lead.

That said, those goals were borne of good fortune.

It was that sort of contest; entertaining, and messy.

1874, just as they did in Mid-Cheshire District FA Senior Cup final on Monday, went in front early on.

Winsford goalkeeper Liam Flynn, filling in for injured Dale Latham, was slow to leave his line while Michael Brandon chased a through-ball.

Arriving second, he tripped the attacker with an arm.

Beadle’s spot kick was struck with power into the top corner.

Ian Street’s side was untroubled until Connor was shown a red card on 24 minutes.

Sam Cook’s pass, miss-hit after the ball bobbled off a dry surface when he struck it, dissected 1874’s defence.

Ryan Mellor reacted quickest, prompting a panicked Connor to haul him back when he realised the substitute had a head-start.

Referee Martyn Rawcliffe then awarded a penalty when Scott Taylor drilled the resulting free kick into the defensive wall, where it struck Craig Farnworth’s arm.

However goalkeeper Greg Hall smothered the midfielder’s attempt from 12 yards.

1874 were further disrupted when Dilan Lomas limped off with a hamstring injury, although Blues toiled to make their advantage count.

Their best chance fell to Harry Brazel, but he only made a slight contact with Ben Seol’s cross.

They displayed greater urgency in the second half, levelling on 50 minutes.

Captain Kyle Riley’s foot-race with Farnworth to reach a ball over the top was a dead-heat, and the striker’s effort looped over a stranded Hall after deflecting off the back-marker.

Brazel then fluffed another headed chance, this time when Lee Duckworth’s free kick found him unmarked.

Mellor’s dipping attempt was too close to the 1874 custodian, while at the other end Flynn parried smartly after Beadle conjured a chance for Stuart Wellstead with a perfectly-weighted pass.

Blues took the lead on 70 minutes when Aaron Stott’s speculative shot from distance squirmed out of Hall’s grasp and through his legs.

However the midfielder was caught out at the other end when he handled inside his own area.

Beadle was again ruthless from the spot.

Mellor wasted a glorious opportunity to pinch maximum points for Winsford with nine minutes left, firing high when he had a clear sight of goal.

1874 | 4-2-3-1 | Hall (GK), Connor, Thomas, Farnworth, Lomas (James 32), Matthew Woolley, George Riley, Jackson, Brandon, Wellstead, Beadle Subs not used Jack Woolley, Tulloch, Mason Goals Beadle 9, 74 (both penalties) Booked Farnworth (foul) Sent off Connor (foul)

Winsford | 4-2-3-1 | Flynn (GK), Seol, Bayley, Jenyons, Duckworth, Stott, Brazel, Cook, Taylor, Hudson (Mellor 5), Kyle Riley Subs not used Moston (GK), Jones, Eiselt, Hull Goals Farnworth 50 (own goal), Stott 70 Booked Kyle Riley (dissent)

Referee Martyn Rawcliffe

Attendance 235