NORTHWICH boss Dino Maamria backed his relegation-haunted young guns to blast their way out of trouble after they revived their hopes of a great escape.

Skipper Michael Welch secured Vics a potential Blue Square Premier lifeline by firing home a dramatic injury-time winner - his second goal of a thrilling contest which had seen the visitors twice lose the lead.

The victory takes Northwich five points clear of bottom club Droylsden who, like fellow strugglers Altrincham, were without a fixture.

And, more importantly, it closes the gap on fifth-from-bottom Alty, on whom Vics still have a game in hand, from a daunting 12 points to a more achievable nine.

Maamria, whose largely inexperienced side had previously gone seven games without a win, said: "We've got a lot of youngsters who have been playing with a lot of anxiety, but we've really got nothing to lose now so I want them to be adventurous.

"It worked for us at Woking and, if we can continue to play with the same freedom, I still believe it's not too late for us to drag ourselves out of the bottom four."

Former Macclesfield defender Welch gave Northwich a sixth-minute lead, powering in a header from a corner.

But Marvin Morgan equalised for Woking just past the half-hour mark, deflecting in Gez Sole's vicious free kick.

Lee Steele then restored Vics' lead 16 minutes from time with a clinical finish, before Liam Marum appeared to have earned Woking a draw with two minutes left.

But Welch's 20-yard free-kick in stoppage time snatched the victory.