Lancaster City 1 Northwich Victoria 2

THE result means everything in football - but sometimes the result doesn't quite tell the full story.

And the so-called beautiful game really can deliver an ugly kick in the teeth.

It just isn't fair at times and Lancaster City were the victims of the sort of miscarriage of justice Court of Appeal judges would overturn as they went down to a gut-wrenching loss to Northwich Victoria on Saturday.

The Vics are a classy side. They hammered Morecambe at Christie Park in the FA Cup and rolled into Giant Axe determined to claim the win to move back to the top of Conference North - they did, but that was only half the story.

Lancaster's young guns once again proved their worth with a display big on heart and spirit and, tellingly, class as they ripped the Vics apart only to be undone by goals in first half stoppage time and in the last minute of a superb game.

City chased, harried and hustled Northwich and won an army of new friends with the sort of display that deserved a maximum return.

Some of the Lancaster passing was delightful as the big spenders of the league were made to look second rate - but they managed a win that left even visiting boss Steve Burr scratching his head in bewilderment.

Northwich were quick out of the blocks and Anthony McMillan was in action to block a Paul Brayson effort inside a minute.

But City settled down well with Andrew Bond and Gary Bauress in complete command of midfield, while the magnificent Mike Eckersley and Ryan Elderton gave their Northwich opponents serious problems with their movement down the flanks.

Alex Taylor and Ryan-Zico Black both tested keeper Kris Rodgers during a breathless first period before City got their reward six minutes before the break.

A spell of high-tempo football rocked Northwich and when Bond whipped in a free kick, the defence couldn't cope and Black pounced ahead of Taylor to steer the ball into the net.

It was the very least City deserved but in stoppage time Jonny Allan levelled with a header from a well-delivered free kick.

Even that goal had a touch of fortune about it as the ball only just made it over the line via a post.

Not surprisingly Northwich were fired up after the restart and Richard Battersby hit the woodwork before McMillan enjoyed a stroke of good fortune when his clearance thumped into Brayson and rebounded towards his goal.

Luckily the ball rolled a foot wide of the post and that let-off inspired City.

The game changed completely with City on top and Northwich very much on the back foot as Taylor terrorised the Northwich defence.

He skipped clear only to see a lob hit the side-netting, while Black had a point-blank range shot miraculously saved by Rogers.

Black was also denied again by the keeper before Taylor had an effort hacked off the line by Peter Handyside.

Handyside also booted another goal bound shot clear as City played some champagne stuff against the big boys.

But it looked like they would have to settle for a point as time ran out - and then disaster struck.

A long throw into the City danger area was always going to be a problem and when McMillan opted to catch rather than punch clear he was clattered by Brayson.

There was no whistle for a free kick and ball spilled to the feet of Allan - and he thundered into the net to win it for Vics and send the 140 travelling fans wild.

It was cruel, it was harsh - but that is football.

Lancaster City: McMillan 7, McMahon 9, Howson 8, Scott 8, Eckersley 9, Uberschar 8, Bauress 9, Bond 9, Elderton 8 (Shaw 90), Black 8, Alex Taylor 9. Subs (not used): Holliday, Melling, Foxcroft, Andy Taylor

Referee: Patrick Dunn

Attendance: 513