RUNCORN Linnets grabbed a late winner thanks to a Michael White penalty in the 90th minute to deny Maine Road what would have been a deserved share of the spoils at The Millbank Linnets Stadium.

The North West Counties Football League Premier Division sides were equally matched in an extremely enthralling and captivating fixture, which saw both determined to attack and search for three points.

Kyle Armstrong’s inclusion in central defence for the injured River Hunphreys had been the only change to the Runcorn starting eleven, still missing skipper Michael Ellison and striker Freddie Potter.

Linnets were honoured and proud that the game was sponsored by the Jenkin family, in memory of former Runcorn Supporters Club stalwart Phil Tyler and his wife Kath.

The crowd witnessed a cagey opening, with a long ball from White just eluding Kurt Sherlock as the sides tried to work each other out early doors. Kyle Hamid tried his luck from long range but saw a shot just dip over the bar, while tremendous chasing and resilience from Jamie Buckley ensured the ball stayed at the Maine Road end of the pitch for the time being.

Maine Road’s first chance of note came from a snap shot that took a deflection but caused no consternation for Richie Mottram. Although it had been a fairly lethargic opening, both teams were evenly matched.

Franny Smith showed some real quality in playing a one-two with Kyle Hamid, and lobbing just over, and then Franny played a diagonal ball to Kieron Brislen, the right back in turn finding Hamid who crossed first time but Sherlock couldn't convert the best move of the game so far.

Another great diagonal pass, this time from White, found Kyle Hamid whose header missed the target. Maine Road's Michael Burke then beat two Runcorn defenders but his cross came to nothing – however, the away side’s next attack saw Mottram's clearance charged down, with the rebound being squared to, and slotted home by, Josh Harper to give the visitors a lead.

The already injured Smith was immediately replaced by Jay Robinson, and the Linnets went in search of an immediate reply, White’s shot from a corner being stopped by a defender on the line. The Linnets forced a corner when Ryan Livesey punched upwards but, in general, the final ball from the men in green and yellow lacked penetration and quality.

More skill from Maine Road’s Burke led to Mottram saving his shot while, at the other end, a long-range strike from Kurt Sherlock met with a similar fate, and the visitors sipped their half-time tea holding on to a slender lead.

The lead wasn't to last long after resumption with Robinson heading on to Sherlock, who finished smartly to level things up. It was the striker’s seventh goal in three games over eight days.

The half-time introduction of Matt Atherton had a real bearing on proceedings, and his dangerous cross into the box was well held by the Maine Road 'keeper. Runcorn had a genuine period of pressure, and another great build-up started by Robinson led to Brislen and White combining before Sherlock's flick to Houghton saw the resulting goal attempt somehow sneak wide.

Michael Simpson got in on the act, shooting wide after a one-two, while Maine Road's threat continued to stem from the lively Burke, whose try at lobbing Richie ended in an easy save. Another decent attack by the visitors was thwarted, with Robinson heading clear while, in the opposite direction, Mark Houghton's cross after a mazy run eluded everyone.

Atherton played in Sherlock, whose effort was saved, before a period of concerted pressure from Maine Road.

A probing cross was punched clear by Mottram while, at the other end, an accurate cross from Matt Atherton was just nicked of Houghton's head.

With Houghton’s wonderful snap shot sneaking inches wide, and then substitute Adam Hilton’s brilliant cross culminating in Sherlock’s glancing header just missing the target, the game looked to be heading towards a draw.

Maine Road still countered well however. Only denied by a last-gasp tackle from ‘keeper Mottram, they could have regained the lead with more incisive finishing on more than one occasion. For their part, the Linnets continued to apply pressure as this absorbing game flowed from end to end. Sherlock struck a late free-kick which was well saved by Livesey.

Then, in the final twist, a Michael White header forced a definite trip by Livesey on Sherlock in the box to give the Linnets that injury-time penalty. It was duly dispatched by White, and the home side had three important points in an unlikely yet extremely enjoyable climax for all connected with the hosts.

This was possibly harsh on the visitors, whose resolution and intent had to be applauded, but the importance of the win cannot be underestimated at a time of the season when building confidence and momentum is of the essence.

Runcorn Linnets: Mottram, Brislen, Buckley, Armstrong, White, Smith, Simpson, Hamid (c), Sherlock, Houghton, Cross. Subs: Atherton, Robinson, Hilton. Not used: Halfacre, Weeder.

Maine Road: Livesey, Chatfield, Gatward, Mason (c), Flynn, Broady, Rutter, Morgan, Harper, Burke, Roe. Subs: Langford, Jones, Hulme. Not used: Barnett, Salim.

Attendance: 309.