Lambert was making directly for Chester, but on receiving information that Booth and a force estimated at 4-5,000 were near Northwich, advanced to cut off the rebels in the area of Delamere Forest. Lambert's rapid advance took the rebels by surprise and only a retreat ordered by Roger Whitley saved them from being overrun. On the evening of 18 August Lambert's scouts made contact with Booth's rearguard in Delamere Forest, but as darkness fell the two armies went into quarters, Lambert in Weaverham and Booth a few miles to the east in Northwich.