For a long time, though, it looked as if it would be the Villagers who would get that particular monkey of their back.

They moved into the lead after just ten minutes when visiting keeper Michael Doherty failed to hold onto a Darragh Peden throw-in with Johnny Topley on hand to pounce from close range.

The Roesiders created a number of opportunities as they chased the equaliser with perhaps their best moment coming early in the second half when Stephen Parkhouse despatched a 30-yard drive past Stuart Addis only to see it crash back off the crossbar.