WAYNE Riley’s brilliant goal was enough to decorate any contest.

But Northwich Victoria’s FA Cup hero could not be crowned a match-winner this time around after the hosts rescued a deserved point.

Both managers were satisfied.

However Vics’ boss Andy Preece had more reason to be wistful after watching the visitors spurn several chances to double their lead before Andy Hall pounced to cancel out Riley’s first half opener.

The former Mid-Cheshire College student showed a deftness of touch that defied his inexperience when he collected Mike Aspin’s assist in one smooth movement before angling a perfect shot into the far corner on 23 minutes.

The visitors began brightly.

Brian Dutton forced keeper Chris MacKenzie to save low to his left inside a minute, although Chukki Eribenne went closer at the other end when his drive skimmed the post’s paint.

Meanwhile Aspin should have sent his shot on target when he stabbed wide following Junior Brown’s fine work down the left.

All that inside the first five minutes.

Ryan Clarke smuggled Eribenne’s weak shot off the line after the Hinckley raider had nudged a throughball away from Curtis Aspden – recalled to keep goal after James Spencer shipped five goals against Droylsden in midweek – moments before Riley’s super strike.

Riley’s flag kick was headed wide by Mat Bailey and Connor Franklin’s drive from distance stung Aspden’s palms as attackers got their better off their opposite numbers at both ends.

Two moments might have edged Vics closer to victory.

First Dan Dillon’s ugly studs-up slide into Jamie Vermiglio brought undue lenience from referee Marc Perry, who had cause to dismiss the Knitters’ midfielder.

The second came in the first minute of the second half when Jon D’Laryea found himself face-to-face with MacKenzie, but his weak finish was woeful.

Northwich did not get a better chance.

Eribenne’s header brushed the bar from Mark Dudley’s cross, while at the other end the hosts’ front man instinctively stuck out a foot to divert Bailey’s goal-bound header over the bar from Riley’s corner.

Hall then hauled Hinckley level, moving off the flank to race on to a flick-on before sliding the ball on the run beyond Aspden.

At the other end Nat Kerr could not tame Jimmy Spencer’s volleyed cross after Junior Brown’s free kick had reached the teenager at the far post.

Hinckley came closest to doing the double over Vics, but Aspden parried sub Jarrad Pickering’s shot to safety.

Star Man Wayne Riley. A better finish you will not see in Blue Square North this season for Vics’ goal. Took Mike Aspin’s pass with a touch so perfect it made his task to apply the finishing touch that much easier. A willing runner breaking from deep in a bid to break Hinckley’s offside trap.

Hinckley MacKenzie (GK), Cartwright, Collins, Franklin, Dudley, Hall, Dillon, Gooding, Taylor, West (Pickering 78), Eribenne
Subs not used Newton, Roberts, Hamilton, Laxton
Goal Hall 55
Booked Dillon, Eribenne (both fouls), Collins (ungentlemanly conduct)

Vics Aspden (GK), Aspin, Bailey, Clarke, Kerr, Junior Brown, Riley, Vermiglio (Herring 83), D’Laryea (Connor 64), Spencer (Danks 78), Dutton
Subs not used Ryan Brown, Newby
Goal Riley 23
Booked Kerr (ungentlemanly conduct), Aspin (throwing the ball away), Spencer (foul)

Referee Marc Perry (Sutton Coldfield)
Attendance 486