1874 NORTHWICH downed in-form hosts with the minimum of fuss on Saturday, recording a fourth win in five league matches.

A top-six finish is in their sights with nine points still up for grabs.

They completed a double against Squires Gate, beaten only by champions Runcorn Linnets in their previous 11 games, with an accomplished performance.

A promising start featured efforts on goal from Sam Freakes, Kyle Riley and Ryan Mitchell that goalkeeper Ben Fletcher had to save.

The visitors appealed as well for a penalty when they felt a Gate defender had handled, but referee Craig Buxton wasn’t persuaded.

1874’s hosts improved as the half unfolded, and Darren Ing sent a shot over the bar before Tarren Moxon and Ryan Riley both fired wide.

Custodian Greg Hall also reacted smartly to thwart Ing when he swooped after a back-pass had fallen short.

A goal arrived on 33 minutes, Sam Hind shooting past Fletcher after controlling Jack Pritchard’s free-kick inside a busy penalty area.

And Hind was inches away from doubling 1874’s lead when Riley’s cross narrowly evaded him after Ryan Jackson sent the front man into space.

Substitute Jack Lever scooped high early in the second-half, while Gary Pett’s attempt was off-target at the other end.

Scott Harries drew a fine stop from Hall before Hind gave his side breathing space by scoring a second goal on 55 minutes.

After darting into a gap between a defender and Fletcher, he steered a powerful header from Jackson’s cross into the bottom-corner.

Hall had to be at his best to deny both Pett and Moxon before another replacement, Jake Parker, increased the visitors’ tally with a tap-in from Shelton Payne’s assist.

Gate | Fletcher (GK), Richards (Finlayson 65), Salthouse, Moxon, Colquhoun, Bamba, Ryan Riley, Ing, Pett, Harries, Clarkson Subs not used Rothwell, Pope, O’Mahoney, Moorhead

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor, Thomas, Pritchard, Mitchell (Lever 21), Freakes, Ryan Jackson (Payne 75), Matthew Woolley (Parker 62), Kyle Riley, McGowan, Hind Subs not used Bowyer, Winthrop Goals Hind 33, 55 Parker 90 (+2) Booked Kyle Riley

Referee Craig Buxton

Attendance 157

Match report by Garry Clarke