LINNETS

RUNCORN'S impressive recent record in the North East continued with this deserved victory at Bishop Auckland where the home side were fortunate to escape with just a one-goal deficit.

The Linnets won all three league games at Blyth, Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland last season but they fell behind to an early goal at Kingsway.

Richard Irving had already had an early effort saved by Simon Bishop when hesitancy in the Runcorn defence saw Andrew Shaw find Dave Mawson and the striker calmly found the net from 12 yards.

The Linnets almost replied immediately when a high ball over the top released Irving but Bishop reacted quickly to smother at the strikers feet.

Derek Brownbill's side, however, were level in the ninth minute when Irving's low cross from the right was fired home by Liam Watson from inside the six yard box.

The pair combined again after 13 minutes with Watson this time claiming the assist following a surging run and cross from the left wing.

Irving was well placed to plant a diving header past a shell-shocked Bishop.

Runcorn had a goal disallowed on the half-hour when Watson was adjudged offside and last season's top UniBond League marksman was out of luck again before half-time.

Watson's sharp turn and shot inside the box from an acute angle brought a fine save from Bishop who turned the ball past the post at full stretch.

The Bishop Auckland defence had endured a difficult opening 45 minutes against the pace of Watson and Irving's intelligent probing and there was no respite early in the second period.

Watson shot straight at Bishop from the edge of the penalty area and then he looked a certain scorer following another Irving cross.

However a last ditch clearance by Darren Roulston cannoned off Watson to safety.

Watson remained a constant threat and it took a vital interception from Bishop's captain Mark Forster to prevent Dave Nolan from getting on the end of Watson's drag-back from the by-line.

On 67 minutes the impressive Irving was replaced by Matty Brooks but there was to be no let up for an already overworked Auckland rearguard.

A good run down the right by Tony Ward was matched by a pinpoint cross to Watson whose control for once let him down and Lee Brydon cleared.

Tony Lynch's through ball almost released Phil Ross at the other end before Paul McNally's ball into the left channel found Ian Callaghan whose 20 yard shot drifted wide of Bishop's left hand post.

Brooks then shot just over after cutting inside but the substitute finally increased Runcorn's lead with nine minutes remaining.

Bishop's Michael Parkinson was dispossessed in midfield and when Watson set up Brooks, the striker nudged the ball underneath Bishop as he came off his line.

Auckland should have been dead and buried but they gave themselves a lifeline with a second goal after 85 minutes.

The Linnets failed to deal with a Lynch corner and Forster shot high into the net from three yards.

Watson was then given a one on one with Bishop in a frantic finale but the keeper blocked with his legs and Brydon completed the clearance.

Brooks had claims for a penalty turned down after he cut into the box only to be felled by a Mark Salmon challenge.

Runcorn then survived penalty appeals themselves when Bishop claimed the ball had been handled during a scramble in the box.

A late leveller, however, would have been rough justice on the Linnets who have now won both away games on their travels this season.

Runcorn: Morris, Ward, Callaghan, Randles, Ellis, Ruffer, Salt, McNally, Irving, Nolan, Watson.

Subs: Brooks, Warder, Oliver.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.