Another late, late show from Runcorn Linnets snatched the victory from a resilient AFC Blackpool, and in the process the leaders took their league points tally to 80 for the season with their 100th home win in North West Counties League football.

The Premier Division win was as much a testament to the efforts of club officials and fans in aiding the stadium staff nucleus of Rob Johnston and Dave Rose to make the surface at the Millbank playable after the effects of heavy frost as it was to the wizardry of Freddie Potter, who stole the show with two excellent last-ditch goals.

The Linnets Faithful had welcomed back the returning Richie Mottram in goal, and Matt Atherton joined Michael White, Mike Burke and Martin Crowder at the back.

Michael Ellison skippered the side from midfield, alongside Adam Wade and Franny Smith, with Kev Towey, Freddie Potter and Chris Lomax completing the line-up with attacking roles.

Kurt Sherlock, Matt Cross and Jonathon Ritchie were named as subs in a squad depleted by injuries and unavailability, as the game kicked off with Blackpool making the brighter start.

The Linnets soon got a little closer to their stride, as Matt Atherton and Kev Towey combined well, but Martin Crowder's deep cross just eluded Chris Lomax at the back post.

Franny Smith popped up out wide to find Towey, who beat two defenders before shooting at the ’keeper. Smith received the game's first caution for little more than a tangle of legs, before AFC Blackpool took the lead on 14 minutes.

The Linnets were sloppy at the back and gave up possession, the ball falling to Ben Duffield who stroked home an impressive 30-yard curler that gave Mottram no chance.

Runcorn looked to strike back quickly but Lomax's cross just out foxed Smith, and then Mike Burke followed up his own header from a corner but shot wide. When Smith was felled in the box by Ryan Vaughan, the referee pointed to the spot, and Michael White stepped up to place the ball into the bottom left and the Linnets had an equaliser.

Burke then had another chance, heading a deep Crowder free-kick just over, before Richie Mottram pulled off one of the saves of the season, somehow managing to palm a point-blank volley wide of the post when a goal seemed certain. Mottram, however, was powerless moments later as Willoughby found himself one on one to round the home ’keeper and slot home - giving the visitors their second lead of the match.

Chris Lomax fired over after great work from Towey, and the sides went in for a half-time brew with the table toppers behind and having it all to do.

Runcorn Linnets started the second period well, with Towey forcing a corner. The Linnets number nine then had a decent chance, glancing his header just wide from a precise Lomax cross. Lomax was involved in all of the Linnets attacking movements, and he combined well with Towey and Wade before forcing a good save from Blackpool ’keeper Caunce.

Lomax then had a penalty appeal rightly waved away before shooting just wide with an outside-of-the-foot shot. Freddie Potter fed in Lomax, but this time his cross was cleared. However, Potter seemed to be on a mission, chasing down and batling well to force an unlikely corner, before both he and Atherton picked up cautions for cumbersome challenges.

Linnets boss Joey Dunn then replaced Ellison with Matt Cross, no doubt expecting the player to have a similar impact to his last appearance from the bench. The experienced Cross didn't disappoint his manager or any of the home fans. With the Linnets forcing a series of corners, Freddie Potter powerfully headed home Cross's set-piece to restore parity, and spark a renewed sense of optimism as the unusually quiet Linnets Chorus suddenly found its chirp.

With time running out, Joey Dunn introduced Kurt Sherlock, whose first real involvement was to play in Freddie Potter for an exquisite lobbed finish from distance. As sublime a finish as you will see at any level of football, it sparked scenes of celebration around the ground which demonstrated what the comeback and resulting victory meant.

The finale may have seemed harsh on AFC Blackpool who had matched the league leaders for the majority of the game, but the Linnets just had too much late on. The referee played out the added time and both teams left the field to rapturous applause.

Freddie Potter will rightfully take the plaudits, however the efforts of Chris Lomax and the "Crossy effect" were particularly pleasing. Sloppy goals conceded will still remain a concern, but the spirit and never-say-die attitude shown once again was very impressive.

The Linnets will carry this feel good factor into another home league game next weekend when the Yellows entertain Silsden, and only eleven league games now remain for the Cheshire club.

Runcorn Linnets: Mottram, Atherton, Crowder (Sherlock), Burke, White, Ellison (Capt) (Cross), Wade, Smith, Towey, Potter, Lomax. Sub (not used) : Ritchie.

AFC Blackpool: Caunce, Carroll (Capt), Betteridge, Vaughan, Ford, Taylor, Thomas, Muscroft, Fleming, Willoughby, Duffield. Subs: Days, Singleton, Waters.