Bootle stretched their unbeaten run to six games after a commanding win over 1874 Northwich after goals from Jack McGowan and Nivaldo.
The Bucks made it three consecutive wins in the Northern Premier League West moving up to ninth and were more than good value for their win.
They took the lead following good forward play from McGowan, he chased down a long ball and pounced on a tame header from the visiting defender toe-poking over Nosakhare Aghayere.
Agahayere endured a battle with Bootle attacker Ben Hodkinson from the first minute when the former Widnes forward forced the shot-stopper into a brilliant diving save before the follow-up was fired into the side-netting.
The pair encountered no fewer than four more times during the contest but the 1874 goalkeeper was equal to the attempts, the pick of the bunch coming in the second half when he tipped onto the post from point-blank range.
Steve McNulty’s side could feel hard done by not going in at the break with a more flattering scoreline but Agahayere kept the hosts at bay.
1874 Northwich improved after the interval and Josh Quarless almost orchestrated an equaliser. He threaded in Jack Irlam but Josh Ollerenshaw, on his Bootle debut, made a brilliant save scurrying out and blocking the effort with his feet.
Hodkinson and the visiting goalkeeper locked horns again but once more, he was denied as he missed out on the chance to score his fourth goal in as many games.
Second-half substitute Nivaldo almost made an immediate impact firing a volley across the face of goal. But he got his goal in the dying minutes after Ollerenshaw’s goal-kick evaded the Northwich backline, the on-loan striker ran through and slid the ball home to secure the points.
Match Stats:
Bootle 2-0 1874 Northwich
Goals: 37′ Jack McGowan, 90+’ Nivaldo
HT/FT Score: 1-0/2-0
