ANDY Preece’s men tasted defeat for the first time this season after coming second best in their derby duel with previously pointless neighbours Nantwich Town.

And, after two defensive howlers gifted the hosts both their goals, the flavour was a sour one.

The Dabbers cared not.

A fourth successive defeat would have marked their worst run of form for more than five years and they were in no mood to set unwanted records.

In contrast, Vics lacked the intensity that had helped them humble Hucknall 48 hours earlier.

“We were flat,” admitted Preece afterwards.

“The players have played four games in eight days and I think they looked leggy; we can’t complain too much about losing.”

So he didn’t.

He was grateful that Kyle Blake’s free kick dropped to Danny Adams – via Michael Lennon – on five minutes as the defender scuffed an ugly shot wide.

Ex-Vics man Chris Flynn then headed over from Blake’s flag kick.

Slow to start as they were on Saturday, Vics’ defence repelled Rodney Jack’s drive on 20 minutes after Tom Parkes had laid off.

There was almost another repeat trick from the weekend soon afterwards too.

Andy Fowler applied the finishing touch from close range following a scramble that had started with Wayne Riley’s shot being blocked.

Ferenc Fodor smacked the loose ball against a post only for ex-Bootle man Fowler to be flagged offside after firing into the net.

The visitors’ best chance came ten minutes before the break when Fodor teed up Riley from John Disney’s free kick but, with a clear sight of goal, he prodded straight at keeper Ben Chapman.

Nantwich led four minutes into the second half.

Blake, the hosts’ biggest threat, picked Disney’s pocket in the corner as the full back bid to see out a long pass forward.

The Dabbers’ wide man then slid a low shot past James Spencer from an acute angle aided by a slight deflection off Fodor.

Lennon slammed an effort into the side netting as Vics wobbled, but Michael Connor’s driving run and shot deserved better than for Chapman to escape only conceding a corner after fluffing his save.

Ollie Ryan then forced the Nantwich number one to tip over after Riley’s pass had given him his first sight of goal.

But the visitors then self-destructed.

Jack’s punt upfield to clear his own lines appeared harmless until Spencer, out of his area to meet the ball, dithered as Lennon closed in.

The Dabbers’ front man smuggled the ball of the keeper before scooped a shot onto the bar with an open goal to leave substitute Omar Mahmoud to gleefully guide in the rebound.

Substitute John McAliskey halved Vics’ arrears when he intercepted Darren Tinson’s woefully under-hit back pass, coolly sliding a fine finish past Chapman.

But Vics could not conjure a late equaliser.

Nantwich Chapman (GK), Carter, Adams, Tinson, Flynn (Mahmoud 45), Blake, Carr, Parkes (Aspinall 82), Jack, Whittaker, Lennon
Subs not used Madeley, Street, Blackhurst
Goals Blake 49, Mahmoud 67
Booked Parkes, Carr (both fouls)

Vics Spencer (GK), Disney, Fodor, O’Brien, Sumner, Riley, Henry, Connor (Barnett 85), Crane, Ryan, Fowler (McAliskey 60)
Subs not used Jackson, Williams, Clegg
Goal McAliskey 87
Booked Henry, Connor, Ryan (all fouls)

Referee Patrick Dunn (Liverpool)
Attendance 863