RUNCORN Linnets salvaged their unbeaten record against 1874 Northwich by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with their 10-man visitors.

Veteran striker Steve Foster came off the bench to lash home a 71st-equaliser into the roof of the net.

The result was a fair reflection.

1874 had done well to recover from the 28th-minute dismissal of Neil Chappell for a late tackle on Chris Lawton.

Mark Houghton, skippering the hosts in the absence of Kyle Hamid, went closest before the break.

His effort from one of several good Bevan Burey crosses, on the speedy right winger's recall to the starting line-up, went inches wide.

Runcorn's form dipped upon the restart and a misplaced pass into midfield led to 1874, beaten on their previous two visits to The Millbank Linnets Stadium, going ahead in the 49th minute through Tom Bailey.

The visitors understandably tried to slow down the game but Runcorn's hopes were revived with 19 minutes left. Ronnie McCarthy's long free-kick was knocked down and Foster's predatory instincts again served him well.

Runcorn could even have won it late on, centre back Lawton crashing a header against the woodwork.

But a draw against a team who went top with Tuesday's point shows things are on the up for sixth-placed Linnets.

They have Hamid up for selection again after his one-game ban for Saturday's trip to Barnoldswick.

Michael Ellison's side have gone seven Hallmark Security League games without defeat.

Their swift recovery from pre-season disarray is of great credit to the new management team of Ellison and assistant Matt Cross along with the players.

They now look a different proposition to the team which lost three and drew one of their first four games in all competitions.

Attendance: 439