RUNCORN Linnets wasted a chance to move level on points with leaders Colne as Barnoldswick did their East Lancashire near neighbours – as well as themselves – a big favour by holding on for victory in the North West Counties League Premier Division.

Joseph Gaughan’s goal six minutes after half-time from a rare Barnoldswick strike on goal was enough to secure the three points for the visitors and condemn Joey Dunn’s frustrated side to a fifth league defeat of the season – their third at home.

Having scored seven in their previous Millbank Linnets Stadium outing, Linnets’ arsenal this time misfired although the shutout wasn’t just down to poor finishing but also the defiance of a well-drilled Barnoldswick side, who stood firm under a welter of pressure, and a slice of bad luck.

Despite being hit by a deluge of rain on Friday, the pitch had recovered well thanks to its excellent drainage and the fixture was never in doubt once a drying overnight wind had taken effect.

Linnets, hoping to capitalise on Colne being engaged in the league’s Men United Cup, made just the one change from the side which had trailed across country in midweek only to suffer heavy defeat in the FA Vase at Marske United. Kieron Brislen resumed at right back, enabling Michael Simpson to revert to midfield.

The exertions of the trip to the North Yorkshire coast probably had some impact on Runcorn not being at their sharpest for Saturday’s return to championship action but effort certainly wasn’t lacking as they kept going until the end.

It just didn’t happen for them in front of goal while Dean Porter might just be wondering if he could have stopped Gaughan’s winner.

At the other end, Barnoldswick’s ‘keeper Jordan Gidley was in excellent form, producing a number of top-quality second-half stops to reward the commitment and spirit of the defenders in front of him.

Runcorn had suffered a worrying setback before the break when Michael White went over on an ankle – and more tellingly stayed down on halfway. It is rare that the central defender is grounded for very long and fears that it would be a match-ending injury were confirmed after lengthy treatment as White was unable to continue.

The versatile Kyle Armstrong was his replacement in the heart of the Linnets’ rearguard.

Despite showing some attacking promise before the break, most of the shooting positions they found were out wide, meaning that the resulting shots on an angle were all the more difficult to execute and lacked potency.

Unfortunately for Dunn’s men, once Barnoldwick got within sight of goal in a central area, they made the opportunity count.

The ball was well laid off for Gaughan, whose drive beat Porter to his left, although not quite in the corner and the ‘keeper may even have got a touch on the shot on its way in.

With Barlick having something to hang onto and Linnets it all to do, the home side redoubled their efforts in a bid to quickly get back on terms. Freddie Potter’s knockdown could easily have led to a prompt equaliser but with the ball going away from him slightly, Simpson steered his effort just off target.

Jason Carey was introduced as an extra attacker, skipper Michael Ellison being withdrawn from central midfield, but Gidley and his defenders were equal to everything thrown at them. The ‘keeper saved well in turn from Potter, Kurt Sherlock and Antony Hickey.

Both sides ran a fine line with their challenges at times. Runcorn’s Kyle Hamid could easily have been cautioned before he found his way into the referee’s notebook while earlier, the visitors’ Shaun Airey had been fortunate not to receive a second yellow almost immediately after his first for a late tackle.

The fact that it wasn’t Runcorn’s day was confirmed in the last five minutes when a rasping long-range effort from Potter had the ‘keeper finally beaten but swerved late to hit the inside of Gidley’s right post and across the goal line to safety.

Into stoppage time, Potter was inches away from connecting with Simpson’s cross when any kind of contact would surely have brought the equaliser.

Despite them still not firing on all cylinders this season, Linnets remain only three points behind and are still the No1 challengers to Colne, whose scheduled league visit to the MLS on Saturday, December 12th is now more important than ever.

Before that, Linnets journey along the M56 this Saturday to take on Maine Road, who are having an indifferent campaign by their standards, lying 13th, but made Linnets fight extremely hard for a last-gasp 2-1 home league win back in August.

Runcorn Linnets: Dean Porter, Kieron Brislen, Matt Atherton, River Humphreys, Michael White (Kyle Armstrong), Michael Ellison (Jason Carey), Michael Simpson, Kyle Hamid, Freddie Potter, Kurt Sherlock, Antony Hickey. Subs (not used): Adam Wade, Taylor Kennerley, Jamie Weeder.

Barnoldswick Town:Jordan Gidley, Anthony Pollard, Jake McEneaney, Shaun Airey, Scott Moore, Arley Barnes, John Beckwith, James Crorken, Matthew Simpson, Joseph Gaughan, Jack Hargreaves. Subs: Billy Crawshaw, Mark Threlfall, Michael Hodson, Stewart Airdrie, James Gill.

Attendance: 248.