1874 Northwich were disappointing in a 3-0 home loss to Widnes, who put an end to the hosts' four-match unbeaten run in Northern Premier League West.
Two goals in three minutes midway through the first half gave the visitors control.
Yet they were the first chances they had in a wind-affected affair at Townfield.
James McCulloch got on the end of a free-kick to put Widnes ahead in the 27th minute.
Then Taylor Kennerley was deemed to have committed a foul that led to Alex McMillan converting from the penalty spot.
Ash Woods' dismissal for a second bookable offence in the 58th minute left 1874 with a mountain to climb.
And the outcome was put to bed 12 minutes later when John McGrath raced on to a flick-on and rounded keeper Tony Aghayere to slot into an empty net.
Flattering scoreline for Widnes. It was a drab game on by all accounts. Widnes shocking on the ball and the majority of there delight were set plays. 74 were as bad as we have seen this year so Widnes got away with it. Hope to see better next week ππΌ last week was a belter ππΌ
β Jack (@JackHazeldine) November 27, 2021
1874 will next be in action at home to Mossley next Saturday.
Across town, Northwich Victoria gave high flyers Macclesfield a run for their money in front of a 942 crowd at the U Lock It Stadium before falling 4-3.
Brilliant performance from the boys. Not sure how weβve lost but we need to take our chances when weβre winning and kill the game off. Onto the next one π’π’
β Elliot π§π·π±π§ (@xGamesis) November 27, 2021
Wow π₯ what a game, deserved at least a draw Out of that π€¦ββοΈ we will play worse than that this season and win games, Macc were out played for long periods of the game but Lots of positives for us going forward #Vicsβ @NorthwichVicsFC π’βͺοΈπ
β Jamie Dewsbury (@VicsNews) November 27, 2021
Vics manager Steve Wilkes described the Silkmen as 'the best team in the league' heading into the North West Counties League Premier Division affair and did not look out of place throughout the clash.
The Trickies led 2-1 early in the second half thanks to a superb long-range strike from Matthew Birchall but two goals in four minutes in the latter stages saw the second-placed side level and go in front before making it 4-2 in the third minute of added time.
Post-match
β NVFC TV (@NVFCTV) November 27, 2021
β¦@stevewilkes1β©
NWCFL v Macc (L)
β¦@NorthwichVicsFCβ© β¦@LiveNvfcβ© β¦@lilysavage12345β© β¦@TNLN_LIVEβ© β¦@NorthwichNewsβ© β¦@silk1069β© β¦@VicsJuniorsβ© β¦@bazley10β© pic.twitter.com/ERuM0M815D
There was still time for substitute Chad Whyte to reduce the deficit for Vics but that was as close as they got.
Ash Dunn netted Vics' opener in the 40th minute, finishing off a cross from Luke Sephton and cancelling out a lead Macc had established only two minutes earlier.
Post-match
β NVFC TV (@NVFCTV) November 27, 2021
β¦@Ashdunn6β©
NWCFL v Macc (L)
β¦@NorthwichVicsFCβ© β¦@LiveNvfcβ© β¦@stevewilkes1β© β¦@lilysavage12345β© β¦@TNLN_LIVEβ© β¦@NorthwichNewsβ© β¦@silk1069β© β¦@VicsJuniorsβ© β¦@bazley10β© pic.twitter.com/nsr2VCEc74
Here is the Premier Division table following today's games.
β The NWCFL (@nwcfl) November 27, 2021
Skelmersdale United lead, two points clear off Macclesfield who have games in hand.
Runcorn Town's win means Litherland are ten points adrift at the bottom. pic.twitter.com/Vt4CHxsH1V
Vics return to action on Tuesday when they visit Winsford United in the Mid Cheshire Senior Cup semi-finals, kick-off 7.45pm.
Blues were defeated 3-0 at Irlam on Saturday, conceding all the goals in a 12-minute spell in the second half.
Meanwhile, Barnton were 2-0 winners at Ellesmere Rangers in the NWCFL First Division South.
Connor Anderson headed home in the 20th minute to give The Villagers a half-time cushion.
Hunt fired a free-kick into the top-right corner to seal the much-needed victory, moving them seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Barnton head to Cammell Laird 1907 next Saturday.
Here is the First Division South table following today's games.
β The NWCFL (@nwcfl) November 27, 2021
West Didsbury and Chorlton did not play but they still lead the table, seven points clear of Abbey Hey.
St Martins remain looking for their first win, and they are 11 points adrift at the bottom. pic.twitter.com/GclJ50JogG
Witton Albion's scheduled Northern Premier League encounter at Buxton was postponed due to snow.
Albion will return to action at Atherton Collieries next Saturday.
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