TOM Bailey’s brace on Saturday earned 1874 Northwich a win that puts them four points clear at the table’s summit.

However Ian Street’s side suffered an injury blow ahead of a crunch clash with AFC Liverpool on Tuesday when Mark Jones left the field after less than half an hour.

Bailey increased his goal tally for the campaign to 12 with a strike in each half, including one three minutes from time that ended Nelson’s hopes of nicking a draw.

It also increases 1874’s unbeaten run in the North West Counties League to 10 matches.

The visitors took the lead on 13 minutes when Matthew Russell’s raid on the left ended with a cross that Stuart Wellstead diverted past goalkeeper Steve James with a drilled shot.

Nelson attacked only occasionally, and Zack Dale sent one effort narrowly off-target before sending another straight at Northwich custodian Greg Hall.

Instead 1874 doubled their lead when Bailey converted from the spot after referee Wade Smith spotted a foul on him by Paul Alexander inside the Admirals’ penalty area.

James was alert to deny Bailey and then Dougie Carroll shortly after the interval, while at the other end Sam Reeves’ attempt from distance did not trouble Hall.

Sameed Ellahi made the Northwich net-minder work though.

Substitute Scott McGowan teed up Wellstead, who shot into the side-netting, before the replacement combined with Russell to set up the same player.

However he again failed to find the net.

Nelson, beaten in seven of their previous nine Premier Division matches, halved the deficit when Kevin Brown prodded in from close range.

However Bailey soothed jangling nerves when he swooped to intercept a back-pass, slotting the ball past James to settle the outcome.

Nelson | James (GK), Wolfenden, Reeves, Nabeek, Brown, Alexander, Dale, Egan, Ellahi, Zama, Townsend (Sohaib 76) Subs not used Brierley, Charlesworth, Cookson, Wicks Goal Brown 85 Booked Alexander (foul)

1874 | Hall (GK), Callum Jones, Russell, Matthew Woolley, Thomas, Rick Bailey, Wellstead (Jack Woolley 77), Mark Jones (Mason 26), Tom Bailey, Carroll (McGowan 57), Hind Sub not used Brandon Goals Wellstead 13, Tom Bailey 38 (penalty), 87

Referee Wade Smith

Attendance 130

Match report by Garry Clarke