Despite a spirited display from Runcorn against League leaders Alfreton, they couldn't make any of their chances stick. After holding the home team to 0-0 at half time, Runcorn conceded a goal 4 minutes into the second half. Chances from Nicky Young, Ged Courtney, David Ness, and Carl Rendell all could have equalised, but Alfreton scored the clincher in the dying seconds of the game and, to be fair, it was a cracking goal pulled tight across the goal into the top left corner - unstoppable.

Littlewoods Spot the Ball, has signed a two year deal with the Football Conference to exclusively feature its games on the world famous Spot the Ball coupons.

The deal sees Littlewoods Football Pools, the only operator of a national Spot the Ball competition, gaining access to all Conference games to feature the very latest action from around the country.

Spot the Ball has over 100,000 players every week and offers a top prize of £250,000. The contract will also see collector points for all Littlewoods games set up in the social clubs of Conference teams and a free entry Spot the Ball game exclusive to each club for Littlewoods players.

Another feature of the new arrangement is that the fans will be told when the photographer from Littlewoods is due at the club and when they will appear on the coupon so that they can look out for their team.

Dave Raywood, head of marketing for Littlewoods Football Pools, said: “Littlewoods Football Pools and Spot the Ball has always had a history of supporting football at every level and this is a continuation of that role.

“This deal is the result of a long standing relationship between ourselves and the Football Conference and we will be working together to ensure that it is an absolute success.”

Joanna Adams, commercial director for the Football Conference, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Littlewoods Spot the Ball and the clubs in the Conference. This deal is very much about a working partnership that will see benefits for all parties and we hope that will continue to develop as the season unfolds.”

Spot the Ball is a Littlewoods Football Pools competition. It is the largest game of its kind in the UK and may be played by coupon, either through the post or via the long established network of Littlewoods door-to-door collector service. To play ring 0800 500 000.

Runcorn FC Halton Manager Alvin McDonald continues to add to the Linnets’ squad with the capture of Karl Brown from Unibond Division One side Gresley Rovers. Brown is the sixth player to sign forms with the Linnets in the last week.

22 year-old Brown, who won Welsh International honours at Under 16, Under 18 and Under 19 level, has made the move back to be near Liverpool, where he originally hails from. He was with the Linnets during pre-season, but subsequently joined Gresley.

He plays on left side of the pitch, and is equally comfortable as either a full back or midfield. Brown has also played for fellow Conference North side Stafford Rangers, Southern League Hednesford Town, Welsh League Barry Town, and Getafe who play in Spain's Segunda Division.

It's been confirmed that Lee Kissock sustained a broken fibula (the thinner bone that runs alongside the shin bone) on Tuesday night against Vauxhall. He's in plaster from toe to knee, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

This presents even more injury worries for new Manager Alvin McDonald, who has seen a number of key players out with injuries since his arrival. Carl Rendell, diagnosed with a hernia, is currently just seeing how things go. Tom Spearritt's return is on hold after reacting to some light training on his achilles. New signing Carl Furlong is now doing some light jogging, as is Anton Lally, with the latter not too far away from returning. Ged Nolan is suffering from an injured back. Steve Carragher took a knock to his instep in the Vauxhall match, which is still very sore, and so is a doubt for Saturday's FA Trophy match against league leaders, Alfreton Town.

The good news is that John Robertson, and David Ness are now back (both played in the Vauxhall match), and Robbie Moore has recovered from a slight shin muscle strain.

Runcorn hadn't beaten Vauxhall in their last seven meetings with their previous game at Rivacre Park resulting in a 6-0 drubbing for the Linnets. After just 3 minutes, a lively Vauxhall side put Runcorn 1-0 down, giving concern that the form wasn't going to be overturned this evening.

In an event filled second half, Lee Kissock equalised 20 minutes in, the Referee was taken off injured so there was delay as the fourth official got changed to take over linesman duties, Martin Molyneux scored the winning goal, and Runcorn played out what seemed like an age of stoppage/injury time with just 10 men after Lee Kissock received a knock to the back of the leg and Runcorn had used up their three substitutions.

Runcorn will play the winner of Wednesday night's match between Barrow and Southport in the Second round, with a win there securing a fixture with second place National Conference side, Carlisle, in the new year.