n Bootle 1

n Northwich Victoria 1

VICS caused an upset as they ended their league campaign with a point no other team has gained off Bootle in 2019.

Steve Wilkes' men became party poopers, as Bootle needed to win to become champions and gain promotion.

"It was a really good, professional performance to end what has been a very good league campaign," said Wilkes, whose side finish fourth in a Hallmark Security League Premier Division ultimately topped by City of Liverpool.

"It’s also an achievement being the first team this year to take points off Bootle, who prior to this fixture won 20 straight league games."

Vics’ goal was scored by Daryhll Mason, a glancing header.

Bootle's leveller came from the penalty spot via Liam Loughlin after Jack Fleming was judged to have handled the ball.

To be fair, the match never really got going in atrocious conditions.

Most of the play was in midfield, with chances few and far between.

A fine cross from Ryan Winder provided Mason his 37th-minute goal, a rare moment of cheer in the first half.

Loughlin confidently sent Danny Taberner the wrong way to pull Bootle level after 52 minutes.

However the expected onslaught by them never came and Vics came closest to taking all three points.

Vics looked the most dangerous and it was only Halligan's last -itch intervention that prevented Mason adding to his tally at the back post.

Then good interplay by Vics set Joe Camozzi free down the right and his cross-shot scraped the top of the bar.

Soon after, Jordan Darr's speed got him round the Bootle keeper Ryan Jones, but an extra touch took him just too wide and his shot hit the side netting.

Bootle's day was summed up when a late corner by Lee Hughes was way overhit and went out for a throw to Vics on the other side of the field.

Vics: Taberner (GK), Camozzi, Barski, Kenny, Fleming, Winder, Clarke (Craig 72), Cooke, (Whyte 88) Connolly, Brownhill, Mason (Darr 80). Subs not used: FitzGerald, Cottam.