RUNCORN Town got off to a great start in their FA Vase clash at West Allotment Celtic.

Although both sides had early chances after Celtic were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Runcorn penalty area, Plant dealt with it competently before sending a perfect ball to Dawson who crossed into the path of Paul Shanley to fire Runcorn into the lead in the 26th minute.

Celtic almost got straight back into the game when Reid saw his tremendous shot tipped over the crossbar by Plant.

Runcorn got a second goal in the 34th min when from a break down the left Beckett crossed for Chris Dykes to finish with a shot from 10 yards.

Celtic were still very much in the game and Hodson fired a shot inches over the crossbar.

But Runcorn produced a superb move down the right Dawson cut inside and outside before crossing to Sean Breen who side footed home in the 40th minute.

Celtic heads dropped and Runcorn enjoyed their best period of the game with some outstanding football it was a pity half time came.

Celtic got a goal back in the 50th minute when Reid volleyed home a fierce shot following a corner. The goal was just what Celtic needed and they put the Runcorn defence under constant pressure. Pendlebury broke clear down the right but his shot flew high and wide of the target. Runcorn always looked dangerous on the break and when Breen crossed a mix up between Stoneman and Mullen resulted in the ball rolling to Shanley who with the goal at his mercy hit Stoneman who had recovered quickly enough to deny Shanley a certain goal.

Celtic began to mount constant pressure on the Runcorn goal and Dummett hit a powerful shot just over the crossbar. Runcorn keeper Plant produced a superb save to deny Reid who was becoming Celtic’s most dangerous player. Reid then headed wide of the upright from a McGlen cross with the goal at his mercy. Celtic got the goal they were looking for when Runcorn conceded a free kick on the edge of the area. Sean Reid hit a powerful shot through the wall that deflected off Lawton to beat the keeper.

Runcorn were really up against it now with wave after wave of Celtic attacks on their goal. The turning point came in the 80th minute when Plant produced a wonderful diving save finger tipping Reid’s penalty kick for a corner.

Jon Dawson got the goal his display warranted in stoppage time when he cut inside Pendlebury to fire the ball into the bottom corner.