NORTHWICH Victoria’s win at Winsford United on Saturday put behind them successive defeats and moved them into the table’s top-half.

They had assumed control by the break after establishing a two-goal lead.

Brian Matthews’ header from close-range, after he was picked out by Adam Robinson’s cross, sneaked in off an upright despite goalkeeper Ben Chapman’s best efforts to stop it.

George Hassall doubled the visitors’ advantage shortly before the interval, dribbling around Blues’ custodian to score after Robinson had again provided an assist.

The midfielder’s afternoon ended early though after he suffered a serious leg injury that required a trip to hospital and 15 stitches to treat a deep cut.

Winsford demonstrated more attacking intent in the second-half, and Vics’ number one Mike Donlon had his palms stung by Declan Daniels’ drive after Mike Koral had laid off.

Lee Duckworth’s men halved their arrears on 66 minutes when Callam Gardner converted from the penalty spot after Brandon Barski had clipped Koral’s heels.

However substitute Oscar Durnin put the away side out of reach when his angled finish beat Chapman after Liam Bickett’s pass had split open Winsford’s defence.

Chapman prevented Matthews from adding to his tally after stopping the striker’s chipped effort before Daniels ensure a nervy finish for the visitors when he converted from James Rothwell’s centre late on.

Winsford | Chapman (GK), Fowles (Bircumshaw 59), Dean Clarke, Hopper, Lee Duckworth, Foster, Steele, Rothwell, Koral, Gardner, Daniels Subs not used Scott Taylor, Manko, Osborne Goals Gardner 66 (penalty), Daniels 87 Booked Clarke, Daniels

Vics | Donlon (GK), Matty Clarke, Johnson (Whittington 81), Lawrence, Barski, Allen Weston, Robinson (Durnin 46), Bennett (Gorman 81), Matthews, Hassall, Bickett Subs not used Shinks, Adam Weston Goals Matthews 30, Hassall 41, Durnin 73 Booked Matthews, Allen Weston

Referee David Croft

Attendance 174

Match report by Jamie Dewsbury