CARL Finnigan’s late goal condemned Witton Albion to a narrow defeat at South Shields on the opening day of a new Northern Premier League season.

His header from Josh Gillies’s cross settled the outcome in the promoted hosts’ favour after James Foley’s penalty cancelled out the striker’s first-half opener.

Billy Smart was sent off on his debut for Carl Macauley’s side with time running out.

1874 Northwich came from behind to draw with Abbey Hey after Scott McGowan stayed calm to convert from the spot.

Keiron Dale had earlier turned in from close range to put the visitors in front.

It was a simpler afternoon for Northwich Victoria who resisted a rally by Winsford United before running out 4-1 winners in a North West Counties League fixture at Wincham Park.

Joel Brownhill appeared to have established control for Steve Wilkes’ side before Perry Bircumshaw halved Blues’ arrears.

The visitors were wasteful when they created opportunities and late goals from Kieron Kenny and substitute Rory Gorman added gloss for the hosts.

Barnton were on the wrong end of a 5-2 score-line in the First Division South at Eccleshall, where captain Chris Smith scored both of the Villagers’ goals.

Meanwhile Bradley Carr and Louis Downs both bagged braces for the home team.

Middlewich blew a three-goal lead in the Cheshire League against Billinge, who fought back to take a share of the spoils after scoring three times in the final five minutes.

Rory Gorton and Dean Burgess, twice, netted for the Witches.

Lostock Gralam followed a victory at home to Styal in midweek with another when they beat Windle Labour in a League One encounter at Park Stadium Robbie Hatton and Sean Tierney scored for the Grey Lambs in a 2-0 win.

Cuddington climbed to the League Two summit following a 3-2 win against newcomers Winnington Avenue 1994 at Norley Road.

However they survived a scare following Nathan Cawley’s dismissal, conceding twice after goals from Tom Duncalf, Josh Mainwaring and Brad Taberner had appeared to put them out of their neighbours’ reach.

Middlewich Town’s reserves put behind them the disappointment of a midweek hammering by Styal to share four goals with their Billinge counterparts.

Scott Murray and Tom Smith were on target.

Here are the results from competitions that feature mid Cheshire clubs:

Northern Premier League

Premier Division: Grantham 1-1 Bamber Bridge; Hednesford 0-1 Scarborough Ath; Hyde 1-0 Basford; Marine 1-1 North Ferriby; Matlock 4-0 Lancaster; Nantwich 1-0 Gainsborough; South Shields 2-1 Witton; Stalybridge 0-0 Mickleover; Warrington 0-2 Farsley; Whitby 1-0 Buxton; Workington 1-0 Stafford

North West Counties League

Premier Division: 1874 Northwich 1-1 Abbey Hey (at Winsford United FC); Burscough 0-3 Bootle; Charnock Richard 4-1 Hanley; City of Liverpool 2-2 Irlam (at Bootle FC); Litherland REMYCA 3-3 Barnoldswick; Northwich Victoria 4-1 Winsford (at Witton Albion FC); Padiham 3-2 Whitchurch; Runcorn Town 5-0 West Didsbury & Chorlton; Silsden 2-0 Ashton Ath; Squires Gate 0-1 Congleton

Division One South: Cammell Laird 2-3 Abbey Hulton; Cheadle Heath 5-2 Vauxhall Motors; Eccleshall 5-2 Barnton; Ellesmere 0-4 Wythenshawe Amateurs; FC Oswestry 4-3 Alsager; Maine Road 1-4 New Mills; Rylands 3-0 Wythenshawe Town; Sandbach Utd 3-0 Stone Dominoes; Stockport Town 1-2 St Martins; Stone Old Alleynians 2-2 Cheadle Town

Cheshire League

Premier Division: Congleton Vale 1-0 Knutsford; Daten 5-1 Crewe; Denton 3-5 Malpas; Eagle 1-0 Pilkington; Egerton 9-1 Greenalls PSO; Middlewich 3-3 Billinge; Poynton 0-3 Altrincham res; Whaley Bridge 2-2 FC St Helens

League One: Blacon 2-1 Garswood; Ford Motors 7-3 Golborne; Lostock Gralam 2-0 Windle Labour; Moore 3-5 Broadheath Central; Styal 3-1 Halebank; Vulcan 2-4 Grappenhall; Winstanley 8-1 Buxton res

League Two: Ashton Ath res 2-1 Cheadle Heath res; Cheadle Town res 3-1 Ashton Town res; Cuddington 3-2 Winnington Ave 1994; Holmes Chapel 4-3 Sandbach Utd res; Mersey Valley 1-5 Maine Road res; St Helens Town res 2-4 Club AZ; Wythenshawe Town Development 0-6 Rylands res

Reserves Division: Billinge 2-2 Middlewich; Broadheath Central 2-2Pilkington; FC St Helens 2-0 Moore; Golborne 2-3 Vulcan; Greenalls PSO 1-9 Styal