MARK Carter continued the winning start to his managerial career as his Runcorn charges enjoyed their second 2-1 victory in a week.

Fellow basement-dwellers Accrington Stanley provided the perfect opposition for Runcorn, who secured a rare league victory with a goal in each period.

What has been a traumatic week for all associated with the club came to a happy conclusion with this win, only the club's sixth in the league this season.

Gary Randles and Dave Nolan each scored with headers, either side of an O'Callaghan free kick which had put the last placed team of the milk shunners back into contention.

The vital crosses were supplied by Salt on 19 minutes and Rose on 56.

Accrington were unfortunate in that they hit a post in the final minutes of the match.

Runcorn, who were without two of their finer players in Liam Watson and Carl Ruffer, now move up two places in the Unibond.

Mark expressed pleasure with the result, although he felt the performance was not particularly good: "Obviously we went one-nil up and took our foot off the pedal and they got back into it.

"It's nice to go away and get a win and be disappointed with the performance."

Mark has enjoyed making the 'natural progression' from playing to management. The recent postponements of midweek games have given him the chance to work on squad fitness - an area he identified as needing prompt attention.

He is still considering whether to transfer his player registration from Ashton United, although if he does play for the Linnets, Mark will take steps to avoid the trap he fell into during his previous spell as caretaker manager.

"I found myself very much standing on the halfway line watching what was going on and not concentrating on my own game," he said. "If I do play then John Imrie will be in charge."

Mark added that he felt the side needed a forward who could hold the ball up, a skill at which he is adept.

"Too often, the ball was going up and just getting cleared out again," he said.

Speaking about is aim for the remainder of the season, he said: "First and foremost is to make sure we don't get relegated. Basically, I want to win as many games as possible and build a good platform for next season."

The Linnets entertain Worksop this weekend, bidding to improve on their Canal Street record of two victories in 12 home league games.

On a positive note, Runcorn's FA Trophy opponents, Southport, lost again on Saturday and are now only separated from the Conference relegation places by goal difference.

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