RYAN Mitchell was again in the right place for 1874 Northwich, steering a ball nudged in his direction by Scott McGowan into an empty net.

The latter appeared to be in an offside position when he played his part, and the game had entered the fifth minute of added time.

It left Winsford United furious, not to mention impotent.

They had no chance to respond.

A derby played in admirable spirit for the most part had changed mood when substitute Daniel Osborne, Blues’ goalkeeper coach, flattened Lee Jackson within seconds of his introduction.

He was rightly cautioned but the 1874 full-back’s involvement ended there, and his team had 10 men on the field – after using all of their substitutes earlier – when Mitchell settled the outcome.

It is fast turning into his trademark after decisive late goals against Maine Road and Chichester City since the turn of the year.

His latest will have a galvanizing effect on a side that won only one of their previous eight games in all competitions.

Meanwhile Winsford will feel regret as well as rancour.

They had been better than their tenants in the first-half, a claim they can support with evidence after creating chances to score, and not made the most of it.

Depleted by absences through injury, a toll that is even greater after Declan Daniels and Perry Bircumshaw both limped off, they tired after an hour or so.

Had they a lead to protect, they may have dug deeper.

Daniels was thwarted by Northwich custodian Greg Hall’s save low to his left after capitalising on a mix-up between Jack Pritchard and Jackson.

Michael Koral’s attempt was smothered after he ran clear, while substitute Marcin Manko dragged wide an effort after Koral had supplied a pass.

Lee Duckworth, Winsford’s player-manager, then saw a defender block his goal-bound shot after a corner had dropped kindly.

1874 threatened only fleetingly, and McGowan’s drive struck a back-marker after Rory Fallon had surged forward.

It deflected to Sam Hind, who was denied first by Dean Clarke before a second try was smuggled to safety by goalkeeper Matthew Green.

Blues’ tenants improved after the interval, and McGowan drilled straight at Green after running onto Mark Jones’ pass.

Replacement Sam Freakes then saw a misdirected cross clip the crossbar Wayne Goodison and Paul Bowyer sent on Kyle Riley, Winsford’s captain and leading goal-scorer last season, and Kazim Waite-Jackson in a bid to breakthrough.

Jones almost did exactly that on 86 minutes, but Green claimed his low cross with McGowan waiting to apply a finishing touch.

A frantic finale followed after Osborne floored Jackson, although referee Daniel Hitchell blew his whistle at the moment Riley burst onto a lofted pass.

Northwich fans wanted an advantage – and a yellow card for the Winsford player felt scant compensation.

Paradoxically, they were grateful the match officials did not halt proceedings after Mitchell scored.

It was that sort of ending.

1874 | 4-3-3 | Hall (GK), Connor (Waite-Jackson 72), Mitchell, Pritchard, Lee Jackson, Jones, Matthew Woolley, Fallon (Freakes 56), Hind, McGowan, Kennerley (Riley 72) Subs not used Russell, Jack Woolley Goal Mitchell 90 (+5) Booked Jones, Riley (both fouls)

Winsford | 4-2-3-1 | Green (GK), Fowles, Foster, Lee Duckworth, Clarke, Hopper, Rothwell, Daniels (Manko 19), Gardner, Bircumshaw (Osborne 87), Koral Subs not used McLellan, Joe Duckworth, Tickle Booked Rothwell, Fowles, Osborne (all fouls)

Referee Daniel Hitchell

Attendance 282