LATE drama was the order of the day in Saturday’s football action.

1874 Northwich and Witton Albion found it beneficial, but Winsford United finished on the wrong side of it.

Eric Byrne hit 1874’s 100th-minute decider in a 2-1 success at City of Liverpool in Northern Premier League West.

His winner came against the run of play, but co-managers Wayne Goodison and Paul Bowyer will surely see it as reward for some sterling defending by their team as the Greens reversed the result of their 3-1 loss away to the same opposition in their last outing 20 days earlier in the FA Trophy.

1874 did ride their luck at times and were grateful to a fine penalty save from keeper Ellis Allen in the 65th minute.

They were leading 1-0 at the time courtesy of Lucas Weir’s 20th-minute strike.

City of Liverpool did eventually level matters in the 83rd minute and threw a lot at 1874 to find a winner of their own but it was Byrne, a 70th-minute sub for Sam Adetiloye, who came up trumps when it was needed most.

1874 climbed to 14th in the table as a result of their second away league win of the campaign.

Witton Albion also left it late to see off Widnes at the U Lock It Stadium.

They trailed 1-0 at half time through a Jack McGowan goal and Widnes struck the crossbar in the first half, too.

Tom Pope had a headed goal ruled out for a controversial offside decision but Lee Jackson eventually managed to navigate a shot into the Widnes net through a crowded box to level matters.

Fit-again Connor Hughes came off the bench to snatch the winner four minutes into added time.

Mention must go to Witton keeper Harry wright for two outstanding saves in the second half, the second to deny former Witton frontman MJ Monaghan.

Meanwhile, Winsford United had their hearts broken at home by high-flying Abbey Hey in North West Counties League Division One South.

Blues were undone in the 90th-minute by a William Shawcross penalty, awarded for unknown reasons to many of a Winsford persuasion.

The hosts had looked set for a 2-2 draw, with two goals from Jeanny Leblanc-Akpo in the 21st and 71st minutes cancelling efforts that had put the visitors in front.

Abbey Hey will perhaps feel they deserve their winner, having hit the crossbar twice in the second half, but Blues enjoyed periods where they were on top.

They remain second from bottom on the ladder.

In the same division, Barnton were defeated 3-0 at home by Cheadle Heath Nomads, with Daniel Lewis striking twice for the visitors.