Hayes 2

Northwich Vics 2

Nationwide Conference

Saturday, March 17

TRY telling Lance Key that lightning never strikes twice, the Vics keeper being subjected to something of a thunderstorm on Saturday.

Firstly, his attempted clearance two minutes into the second half cannoned off a Hayes striker, back over his head and into the net off the underside of the bar for a virtual carbon copy of the winning goal in the televised FA Cup tie at Leyton Orient in December.

And the scorer in question was none other than the ageless Jimmy Quinn, a scorer of four Vics goals when he was a team mate of Key's during a brief spell earlier in the season.

But this unlucky incident set up an exciting second period in what up until then had been a lacklustre affair with the importance of the relegation battle affecting both sides as they were unable to create many clear cut chances.

Ben Hodson forced an early save from Key at the foot of the near post, while Northwich's only real chance fell to Gregg Blundell in the 41st minute when Gary Talbot headed on a Mark Barnard free-kick to him, but he shot weakly at Hayes keeper Matt Hodson from five yards.

So Vics were somewhat thankful for Quinn's freak goal as it changed the face of the game for them. Manager Keith Alexander immediately pushed John Robertson into attack alongside Blundell and Adie Mike as both sides began to show more urgency.

Vics had strong appeals for a penalty turned down when a Blundell header appeared to brush the arm of Alvin Watt, while Key made another hash of a back pass by slicing his kick high into the air before clearing to safety.

But Northwich got themselves back into the game in the 65th minute when Robertson hit a thunderous 35-yard shot against the angle of the upright and Mike coolly guided the rebound into the corner of the net.

With eight minutes remaining the home side appeared to have snatched the points when defender Dean Coppard rose to meet a Barry Moore corner and although Key blocked his initial header, Coppard followed up to score from close range.

Straight from the kick-off a mistake by Gary Burke left Quinn free on goal but Key spread himself to save.

As a final throw of the dice Alexander replaced Dean Walling, who had looked out of place in central midfield, with Richard Mitchell, but after he was brought down just outside the box it was an earlier sub who had the final say three minutes from time.

Mark Bailey elected to take the free-kick and curled the ball over the defensive wall into the top corner of the net.

Vics: Key, Barnard, Talbot, Robertson, Burke, Norris ( Bailey 70 ), Walling (Mitchell 84), Blundell (Walsh 90 ), Mike, Devlin. Subs not used: Davis, Holcroft. Attendance: 620 Man of the Match: Mark Devlin.