RECORDING their first win since Boxing Day with a dramatic injury-time winner at Kingfield, Vics rekindled hopes of avoiding relegation from the Blue Square Premier.

Their hero was centre-half Michael Welch who scored his second goal of the game with a thunderous 25 yard free-kick which earned special praise from manager Dino Maamria.

He said: “That goal was a beauty. Let’s hope it gives us a launch-pad for a rally in the last 15 games.”

Three minutes before the end of normal time, mid-table Woking had threatened to deny Northwich by making it 2-2 with a well-taken goal from substitute Liam Marum.

After a two-week lay-off, Vics gave a lively display, full of attacking flair and took a sixth minute lead through the powerful Welch with a firm header from Luke Horrocks’ accurate cross.

The Surrey side levelled on the half-hour when Marvin Morgan glanced in a header which gave Lewis Edge no chance.

Vics were back in the lead in 74 minutes through Lee Steele, restored to the team after his long-term hamstring injury.

Welch flicked on Nat Kerr’s long throw and former Chester City striker Steele found the net from the edge of the box

This win – only their second away from home – lifts Vics one place up the table, still nine points short of Altrincham in 20th position, yet with a game in hand.

WOKING: Gindre; Gosson, Hutchinson, Bunce, Batt; Quamina, Lambu, Morgan, Norville (Marum 72); Sale, Pattison (Gray 76). BOOKINGS: Hutchinson.

NORTHWICH: Edge; Kerr, Welch, Belle, Brown; Williams (Barker 66), Carr, Byrom, Horrocks (Byrne 58); Burns (Mullan 66), Steele. BOOKINGS: Welch.

REFEREE: R. Whitton (Birmingham).

ATT: 2,672.