And, with four key players ruled out through injury and suspension, a one goal defeat proved the price to pay.

Nevertheless, Vics did start the game well, Hayes forced into some desperate defending within minutes of the kick-off when a Steve Walters free kick found John Robertson.

His effort was saved by Meara and eventually cleared to safety.

Robertson was in the thick of the action at the other end as well.

He was involved in a misunderstanding with Dean Greygoose in the area which allowed Hall to take possession and whip in a teasing cross to the six yard box where Martin Filson was on hand to head behind for a corner.

For much of the first half the defences were on top, with chances few and far between.

Hayes came close through Buglione and Flynn. But it was Vics who should have taken the lead.

In the 33rd minute a Derek Ward free kick found Steve Walters unmarked on the left side of the penalty area.

But with the goal at his mercy, he shot inches wide of the far post.

Ian Cooke saw a chance narrowly miss the target soon after.

A Stuart Terry corner from the left found the striker at the back post, but his firm header only found the side netting.

After the break Vics continued to take the initiative and when Neil Illman cut in from the right and centred Paul Tait was on hand to slide in and push the ball just wide of the near post with the keeper beaten.

Although Vics continued to dominate possession they found it increasingly difficult to break down the home defence, whilst Hayes continued to look threatening on the break.

Lee Charles was at the heart of most of Hayes' attacks. A summer signing from QPR, his pace caused Vics a number of headaches.

But it was to be manager Terry Brown's double substitution in the 63rd minute that turned the game. Within six minutes substitute Domingos somehow squeezed the ball inside the near post when the ball ran loose from a Greygoose parried save.

The goal left Vics chasing the game with 20 minutes remaining.

Phil Wilson introduced Darren Vicary and, later, Carwyn Williams as Vics threw everything at the home defence.

But the real Northwich hero was Mark Birch, who produced two superb tackles on Charles as Hayes twice looked set to add to their lead with quick breakaways.

As the final whistle approached Vics had a last chance to get something from the game when Tait was fouled on the edge of the box.

But from the resulting free kick Steve Walters was unable to inspire a David Beckham-style point saver, Hayes scrambling the ball clear as Vics' goal-bound efforts were frustratingly blocked.

Hayes: Meara; Dellisser, Flynn, Sparks, Watts; Goodliffe, Hall (Randall 63), Roddis, Charles; Buglione (Domingos 63), Wilkinson Sub not used: Lyons

Vics: Greygoose 7; Ward 6 (Vicary 70, 6), Birch 8, Filson 7, Robertson 8 (Williams 77, 6), Duffy 7; Walters 6, Terry 7, Tait 5; Illman 6, Cooke 6 Sub not used: Simpson

Goals: Domingos 69

Bookings: Illman, Roddis, Watts

Ref: G Kegley Att: 685 MoM: Mark Birch

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.