Northwich Victoria 3 Barnoldswick Town 1

TOWN'S inconsistent form continued as they slipped to another Hallmark Security League Premier Division defeat.

It was a match where they had chances but failed to make the most of them.

Northwich made the early running with Town's James Crorken and Shaun Airey clearing successive corners as far as Adam Lawrence who shot over the bar on both occasions.

Northwich opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Oscar Durnin shot low past Connor King.

Town responded with Mark Threlfall having a shot saved from a Hill corner, and Jake Lloyd having a shot saved by Michael Donlon.

Northwich's Rory Gorman forced King into making a good save, before Threlfall headed over from a free kick.

Threlfall saw a shot blocked from three yards out and Harry Thompson shot wide after Airey headed the ball down to him.

Town had a let off when Jason Hart had a shot bounce back off a post.

On the hour mark Airey was yellow carded for pulling back Hart who was also booked for retaliation.

Substitute Joel Melia was quickly in the thick of the action after replacing Dale, but Northwich doubled their lead when Brian Matthews scored in 70th minute.

Town responded with Ben Gorman hitting a post before Thompson converted a Melia cross to give his side hope of snatching a point.

They had a great chance to equalise when a Threlfall cross was put over Donlon’s goal from two yards out.

They were made to pay three minutes later Hart sealed the home side's win with a third goal.