Northwich Victoria 1

Kettering Town 2

Nationwide Conference

Monday, April 16

VICS followed up their first Conference away win since November with their first home defeat since October on Easter Monday.

After finishing Saturday's match at Telford in such blistering form with all four strikers on the pitch, manager Keith Alexander started with all of them here. However, after a lively start, they gradually cancelled each other out.

Gregg Blundell was denied twice in a minute by goalkeeper Ian Bowling and defender Colin Vowden, with a half volley and a header, before Town took a 20th minute lead. Right back Wayne Duik ambled into the Vics half and struck a 30-yard screamer into the top corner.

Key had no chance with that one, but he kept Vics in the game by palming away Steve Lenagh's 27th minute blaster from the edge of the area, and a minute later made an even better save from his own player.

Mark Devlin steamed in to intercept when Darren Collins laid the ball back, but he booted it towards the top corner, only for Key's acrobatics to spare his embarrassment.

But the next time Devlin had an effort on target, this time at the right end, it brought Vics level four minutes before the break.

Graham Lewis did well to squeeze a cross in from the by-line and as it bounced in front of of Devlin, he got over the ball to send a volley crashing into the roof of the net.

Again, this goal was against the run of play, but Kettering responded well by re-taking the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Lee Cowling sent in a cross from the left and Collins out-jumped Gary Talbot to direct in a header which Key could only palm into the net.

Although Collins and Dale Wakins and often looked threatening on the break, it was Vics who came closer in the second half, despite never having a period of dominance.

Bowling made fine stops from Blundell, who connected well at the near post after more fine wing play from Lewis, and tipped over Mark Barnard's free-kick.

And five minutes from time, Vics almost snatched a point when Duik somehow scrambled away John Robertson's header with home players celebrating, convinced the ball had crossed the whitewash.

But it would have been unjust on the balance of play as Kettering took the three points they needed even more desperately than Vics. And it showed.

Vics: Key, Walling, Barnard, Talbot, Lewis, Burke, Norris (Holcroft 77), Mitchell (Robertson 68), Blundell, Mike, Devlin. Not used: Bates, Challender, Walsh. Attendance: 1,011. Man of the Match: Graham Lewis.