RUNCORN ended their one season stint in Conference North with a creditable draw against Lancaster City at Southport's Haig Avenue.

The Linnets showed a fighting spirit that has deserted them so often this season and came from behind twice thanks to goals from leading scorer, Nicky Young.

In an evenly matched first half, neither side managed to break the deadlock with Ryan Zico-Black going close for Lancaster in the fourth minute.

Matty McGinn saw his effort deflected away from goal and Phil Denny shot wide when unmarked inside the box.

The second half saw a change in tempo and with the away side starting the brightest; it took only six minutes for Zico-Black to score the opener.

The Linnets' defence were caught flat-footed when Gary Bauress played in Zico-Black and he coolly chipped over the advancing Neil Thompson.

David Ness almost grabbed an equaliser when his chip from 40 yards out almost beating ex-Runcorn keeper Tony McMillan.

As the game wore on, the introduction of Mike McGinn helped turn things the home side's way.

He passed to brother Matty, whose cross from the left found Nicky Young, who headed in at the near post.

However, just one minute later Zico-Black got his and Lancaster's second when he struck a wonderful curling shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

Runcorn got their just reward in the 85th minute when Lee Parle played in Young, who made no mistake in drilling passed McMillan to equalise again.

Runcorn: Thompson; Spearitt; Carragher; Moore; Ness; Parle; Heenighan; Jack; Young; Denny; McGinn; Subs: Taylor; Mike; McGinn; Van Blerk; Soley.

Attendance: 141