NORTHWICH Victoria's fans have found a new hero in the form of striker Paul Brayson.

The frontman, who was allowed to leave the club on loan earlier this season, has returned to first team football with a bang, scoring four goals in his past three matches.

And it is a goalscoring run that has revived Northwich's survival hopes and inspired those around him.

Brayson joined UniBond side Gateshead on March 16 and in the period between that and him rejoining the club on March 31 Vics lost three games, scoring just once and conceding seven times.

In his first game back for Vics, Brayson scored twice, against Barnet, and has continued his scoring spree.

Last Tuesday he added to his tally with a goal against Forest Green in Vics' 2-1 win and found the net again on Saturday as Northwich saw off the challenge of Exeter.

The former Cardiff and Reading striker has now scored 10 league goals this season for Vics and his recent run also seems to have helped strike partner Jonny Allan.

Allan had been experiencing a mini goal drought prior to Brayson's arrival, having failed to find the net since his brace against Halifax on February 26.

But Allan's two goals in the past two games have helped his and Vics' cause as they now look odds on to avoid the drop.

And Steve Burr's side had the chance last night, Tuesday, to secure their Conference status.

A win against already relegated Leigh RMI would see Vics move to 39 points, enough to remain in the division if Forest Green lost their Tuesday night fixture at home to Hereford United.

This means Vics' next home fixture, against Aldershot on Saturday, could take on something of a party atmosphere and the miracle some thought impossible at the turn of the year may have been achieved.

If not, the game against the Shot's could prove to be crucial and a win at Wincham Park could be the deciding factor in a season of change.