Northwich Victoria 3 Scarborough 0

VICS shot down Scarborough's young guns in impressive style on Saturday, giving a master class in finishing to a side who looked woefully in need of tuition.

Nine league scouts had journeyed to the Drill Field to monitor the progress of Scarborough teens Ashley Lyth and David Pounder, but it was Vics who grabbed the moment in the spotlight.

Vics looked the form team from the off, with one of their best displays of the season breaking the deadlock of nine games without a win.

They went ahead after an opening half hour of sustained and direct pressure on the Scarborough goal.

On 30 minutes a Richard Norris cross to Mark Barnard took a deflection back to Mark Devlin, whose fierce drive proved unstoppable to the unsuspecting Andy Woods in the Scarborough goal.

Five minutes later, Graham Lewis limped off and Gary Burke drafted into central defence, and captain John Robertson pushed forward.

On 36 minutes the instrumental Barnard drifted a long shot in towards goal, with Fletcher heading home between the Scarborough defence and the outstretched Woods.

Half time did little for a lacklustre Scarborough side. Shots were glanced over and around the goal from all areas of the pitch - including some glaring misses from Pounder.

It was left to Vics to entertain the crowd with a stunning goal from Mark Barnard on 63 minutes, crowning his man of the match performance.

Barnard was gifted the free kick from a Paul Ellender foul 30 yards from goal on the right flank, but his left-foot shot swung effortlessly over a solidly defended goal mouth inside the far post, with the spectacular shot sealing the win.

With their closest rivals Forest Green and Hayes both losing on Saturday, the win gives Vics a small, but comforting, three point cushion away from the drop zone.

VICS: Key, Bates, Barnard (Holcroft, 81), Walling, Robertson (c), Talbot, Norris, Lewis (Burke, 35), Fletcher (Mitchell, 75), Mike, Devlin.

SUBS NOT USED: Bailey, Walsh.

ATTENDANCE: 942

MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Barnard