Newton made the perfect start after eight minutes when Owen Walker’s corner from the left was met by Matty Smith, who volleyed home from six yards to make it 1-0.

The hosts continued to threaten, with Dan Hankinson testing the goalkeeper before Northwich equalised on 18 minutes. A long ball caused problems in the Newton defence and, as Alfie Speakman came off his line, the Northwich attacker reached the ball first and lifted it into the empty net.

Newton responded well and continued to create the better chances. Walker was denied by the goalkeeper after combining with Rio Gill and Hankinson, while Alex Barron also forced a save following an overlapping run down the left.

The pressure told on 32 minutes. After Hankinson was fouled deep in the Northwich half, Smith floated the free-kick into the area. The visitors could only partially clear and Walker volleyed the loose ball low into the corner from around 18 yards to restore Newton’s lead.

Newton went into the break 2-1 ahead having enjoyed the better of the opening 45 minutes, with Northwich creating little beyond the chance that brought their equaliser.

The visitors levelled again on 57 minutes when a cross from the left was diverted past Speakman as Smith stretched to make a clearance.

Newton continued to push for a third. Joe Charleston saw two efforts blocked, Mike Winer headed wide from Barron’s deep cross and Anthony Plant was denied twice by the Northwich goalkeeper as the hosts continued to look the more likely side to score.

However, Northwich made the most of one of their few opportunities with five minutes remaining. From a corner, an attacker escaped his marker and met the delivery unchallenged, sending the ball high into the net to give the visitors a 3-2 lead.

Newton almost responded late on when good work from Charleston and Gill eventually found Nathan Wright inside the area, but his effort went over the bar.

It proved a frustrating afternoon for Newton, who had enjoyed the better of the game and created the greater number of opportunities. Northwich, however, were clinical when their chances arrived and punished Newton for not turning their dominance into a result.