Runcorn, playing at their temporary home of Valerie Park, went a goal down in the first few minutes to Hyde when a powerful shot, from around 25 yards out, managed to beat returning Mark Winstanley into the top right corner. In the second half, Matty McGinn managed to head home the equaliser from a rebounded shot.

Match Report

Goals from Kevin Leadbetter, Chris Lightfoot, and Matty McGinn we enough to ensure victory for Runcorn against Gateshead, playing at the home of South Shields, Filtrona Park, due to refurbishment of The International Stadium, Gateshead's normal home.

Second half substitute Kevin Leadbetter scored a fine goal with his first touch only for Craig Skelton to equalise five minutes later for Whitby. More goals seemed likely with the Linnets hitting the bar three times, the post once and having a Liam Watson effort cleared off the line but it was not to be and they had to settle for a point.

Runcorn kept a clean sheet for the second match in a row, and secured 3 points with a 3-0 win over 5th place Worksop Town. Runcorn went ahead after two minutes from a well placed Steve Carragher goal. Int he second half, Wes Kinney scored, just prior to being substituted by Liam Watson, and Lee Parle made it three.

Match Report

Runcorn held Droylsden to a goal-less draw on a dry Halton Stadium pitch, still thick with sand. Just as in the match against Gainsborough Trinity, Runcorn looked the more dangerous team for the first few minutes, but then the pendulum swung the other way, and it was the visitors who looked much the better team despite their inability to make any of their chances stick.

The second half produced a much more entertaining spectacle, and the crowd, despite being a relatively small 168, responded and for once there was some atmosphere inside the large stadium. Both teams produced chances, and there was an improvement from Runcorn over the first half, but they couldn't convert the improved play into that vital goal.

Match Report