Match report: Northwich Victoria 1 Squires Gate 1

The home side caught Gate cold as a ball into the box found the run of Brian Matthews, who cut inside and fired home.

Gate’s problems mounted as a knee injury forced Max Rothwell off, though his replacement Tarren Moxon quickly won a corner from which Dean Ing’s shot was blocked and captain Scott Harries blasted over.

The visitors had a penalty claim turned down for a push in the back on Ing, then went close from three successive corners.

Gate’s Andrew Richards fired over from outside the box and Vic midfielder Oscar Durnin also cleared the bar from a knockdown as the half came to a close.

The visitors started the second half with urgency and were level six minutes in, counter-attacking from a Vic corner. Home keeper Mike Donlon’s sliced clearance fell to Ryan Riley, who netted his third in two games.

Gray shot over from a corner but keeper Ben Fletcher had to be alert to deny Durnin on 74 minutes.

Gate had the better of the late chances as Ing fired over and substitute Charnley couldn’t connect with Gary Pett’s testing cross.

Andy Clarkson’s side slip a spot to 10th in the premier division and finish with three games in six days, starting on Thursday at Runcorn Linnets, who visit Vic tonight and will be crowned champions if they win.

Gate: Fletcher, Gray, Colquhoun, Bamba, Richards, Riley, Ing, Rothwell, Salthouse, Harries, Pett Subs: Charnley, Finlayson, Moxon

Report by Mark Ashmore