Hyde United 1 Northwich Vics 3 VICS avenged a midwinter defeat by Hyde as their championship challenge moved into spring at Ewen Fields on Saturday.

They were overall much the better side and thoroughly deserved their victory, though it was clinched by a wickedly deflected shot from Mike Carr.

They survived one or two scares as well, but then so did Hyde. The score could have greater and, indeed, Northwich started off as if it would be.

The Tigers were left breathless by the range of Northwich's passing, as first demonstrated by Matt Garner for Chris Williams to bring a full-stretch save from Jean-Paul Ndjebayi in the Hyde goal.

Danny Mayman and Stuart Elliott were next to worry Hyde and in the 14th minute Mayman produced a cutting low cross that Mike Carr anticipated perfectly to score from six yards.

The second goal was the product of a sweeping move in the 26th minute. Kieran Charnock won the ball at the back and Byrne's pass brilliantly found Mayman and he immediately set off in support of the attack.

When the winger's cross was dummied by Paul Brayson there was the on-form Byrne to score from close range.

All this happened with little response from Hyde, but two goals seemed to sting their pride and for a brief spell forced Vics on to the back foot, Dale Johnson bringing a save from Kris Rogers and former Green Mark Quayle shooting embarrass-ingly high from the edge of the area.

It was a Vics' attack that inadvertently led to Hyde's goal on 36 minutes.

Peter Handyside and Byrne both has shots blocked and Hyde were able to break.

Nick Clee raced into space and beat Rogers clinically from 20 yards.

Suddenly Hyde were in contention and the second half was better balanced - and it might have been level pegging but for Byrne clearing a Mike Flynn header off his own line.

Brayson made a hash of an attempted lob and was robbed by Dave German as he lined up another shot before an inviting goal.

But the points were safe when Richard Battersby broke up a Hyde attack and found Carr, whose 18-yard shot came off a defender to beat Ndjebayi easily. VICS: Rogers; Battersby, Handyside, Charnock (Payne 45), Garner; Mayman, Carr, Elliott, Byrne; Williams, Brayson.

Att: 667 Star Man: Mike Byrne, still on top of his game Next Best: Mike Carr Team Rating: 4 Hyde Star: Mike Flynn Team Rating: 2 Match Rating: 3