1874 NORTHWICH avenged a defeat at the same stage of last year’s FA Vase against Oldham Boro, though they needed extra time to do so.

Goals in the closing stages by Matthew Ward and Sakeel Abdullah settled the outcome in the visitors’ favour following a scrappy encounter.

That they fielded five debutants contributed to the disjointed nature of their display.

Ward forced a mistake by Tom Elford with four minutes left, shooting into an empty net after pinching the ball from Boro’s goalkeeper.

A second, clinching goal arrived shortly afterwards when substitute Abdullah fired in fellow replacement Rick Bailey’s pass after Lee Jones’ long ball had found Ward in space.

The midfielder had been the away team’s best player throughout, shooting narrowly off target after five minutes following new recruit Calum Woods’ raid down the right.

Dave Short and Mark Derbyshire, another fresh face, went close too.

Oldham posed a threat too, both Adam Owens and Nathan Adams forcing stand-in custodian James Fossdyke – also appearing for Northwich for the first time – to save smartly.

Adams also hit the crossbar with a well-struck attempt.

Woods twice went close at the start of the second period, first seeing a defender deflect his shot to safety and then another clear off the line from the resulting corner.

Paul Connor denied Adams in the same way at the other end.

Elford played his part too, stopping efforts from Ryan Mitchell, Connor and Ward.

The visitors to Seel Park thought they had sneaked through in the final minute of normal time when Ward scrambled in from close range after Elford spilled Matthew Woolley’s drive.

However a linesman had spotted a player stray offside.

Substitute Lee Jones prompted Elford to block following an attack involving Jamie Tandy and Ward, while Connor’s header from Lee Duckworth’s free kick went wide.

Abdullah then struck a shot against an upright.

He was more accurate when his next chance came.

Oldham Elford (GK), Dainty, Steve Bancroft (Gormery 80), Dean (Scanlon 86), Smith, Schofield, Owens, Lee Bancroft, Adams (Nsimbe 87), Knowles, Paul Carey Subs not used Pearson (GK), John Carey

1874 Fossdyke (GK), Woods, Duckworth, Mitchell, C allum Jones (Lee Jones 55), Woolley, Connor, Ward, Derbyshire (Bailey 80), Short (Abdullah 65), Tandy Subs not used Conkie (GK), Crofts Goals Ward 116, Abdullah 119

Referee Martin Woods   

Attendance 216

Additional reporting by Garry Clarke