Football: Late Carr strike sends Vics closer to pole position; COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO/NON-LEAGUE.

Byline: BY MIKE TALBOT-BUTLER

Moor Green 1

Northwich Victoria 2

VICS made it nine Nationwide Conference North wins on the trot with a late clincher by midfielder Mike Carr in a woeful game at Solihull Borough which was spoilt by a high, swirling wind.

Themselves unbeaten since mid-January, Moor Green began at top speed and took the lead in seven minutes when goalkeeper Kris Rogers fumbled a Gary McPhee shot and Dale Anderson, who was recently on loan at Northwich, poached the rebound.

Vics failed to put their passing game together in unhelpful conditions, but drew level after 48 minutes.

Ashley Timms made a fine save from Jonny Allan and when Paul Brayson lofted an corner wide of the far post, centre-half Peter Handyside hooked the ball back over his shoulder and the wind carried it into the top corner.

Vics got on top, but Chris Williams missed the best chance of the match after dribbling clean through and the game seemed to be drifting into stalemate until manager Steve Burr introduced late substitutes Mike Byrne and Mark Sale.

Sale missed a good opportunity, then with three minutes remaining, Byrne lofted a dangerous cross into the penalty area and midfielder Carr went up with defender Ben Petty and got the last touch to send a back-header flying into the net with Timms stranded.

Northwich can go above Stafford to top of the table if they take at least a point from their match in hand at Vauxhall Motors tomorrow.

MOOR GREEN: Timms' Scott, Collins, Penny, Mid-worth (Petty 65)' Nurse, Morrison, Middleton, Trainer' McPhee, Anderson.

NORTHWICH: Rogers' Battersby, Handyside, Char-nock, Garner' McCarthy, Carr, Elliott (Sale 73), Allan' Williams (Byrne 82), Brayson.

REFEREE: R Merchant (Stone). ATT: 395.