RUNCORN FC continued to display a commitment to socialism and equality of outcome when they drew home games against Gainsborough and Marine over the Bank holiday weekend, writes Garrett Stephens.

The Linnets have now drawn their first three home games this season as failure to convert superiority into goals has cost them an easy six points.

Gainsborough, a club in transition following a Summer exodus of staff and players that makes Moses look like a day-trip organiser, provided the first challenge.

A minute's silence preceded the game, in memory of former club director Arthur Platt who died during the summer.

This was prolonged well into the game as neither side played with much verve in the first period.

The game was five minutes old when Watson was played into space by a ball over the top.

He dived under the defender's tackle, but the referee gave a free-kick.

Watson then broke away from a Trinity defender, who earned a booking for tripping the Linnet striker when he was through.

It was 35 minutes before the home side managed a shot on target, a harmless Whalley effort.

A different, more committed Runcorn emerged after the break.

Salt passed to Whalley whose cross-shot was just missed by a sliding Watson.

New signing Nolan mis-kicked the ball in midfield, but recovered to send Watson away down the left.

His drilled cross was fumbled by Trinity's keeper, who just managed to paw it away from the in-coming Rose.

Gainsborough should have scored when Bennett was given space to shoot in the area.

But he delayed while trying to work the ball on to his left foot, allowing Runcorn to block.

A stunning piece of eleventh hour defending saved Gainsborough when a corner was allowed across the six yard box.

Watson scooped it goalwards, only for a defender to dive and head the ball off the line.

The Linnet striker then squandered a free header, failing to connect when unmarked, a summation of the match.

It was the same story on Monday, when chances went unconverted.

An early Watson goal was all the Linnets had to show for an afternoon of pressure. Marine equalised before half time.

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