Nelson returned to the automatic promotion places with an excellent 3-1 home win over 1874 Northwich in front of 176 supporters at Victoria Park.

The win was the Blues seventh on the bounce in all competitions.

The Admirals couldn’t have asked for a better start as they blew 1874 Northwich away with an irresistible display of attacking football in the opening 10 minutes.

Mark Fell’s side were 3-0 up within nine minutes, George Melling heading the home side ahead when he rose to meet Adnan Ahmed’s superb 35-yard free kick.

A second goal arrived soon after when Ed O’Neill and new signing Darren Green linked up to find Brandon Barski who took a touch inside onto his left foot and rifled the ball into the stanchion between post and bar.

And it got worse for the visitors on nine minutes when Peter Wright scored from the spot after Ryan Mitchell was fouled.

Northwich needed a reaction, and they were given a lifeline when they were awarded a spot kick of their own in the 15th minute which was converted by Matty Ward.

Green then struck the post while at the other end, Stuart Wellsted rattled the Nelson crossbar.

The second half did not match the first for excitement but Nelson were made to sweat for their points after George Melling was dismissed on 65 minutes for impeding Wellsted but Northwich could not take advantage as the Blues hung on.