IT had to happen eventually. The last time the Millbank Linnets Stadium had witnessed a draw was on 18th October 2014, and it was almost 12 months since Linnets had been involved in a a draw of any kind in the league, writes Mark Buckley.

But with the North West Counties Football League's in-form side West Didsbury & Chorlton being the visitors to Runcorn Linnets, Saturday's encounter had all the drama and excitement of a top-of-the-table clash, if not the goals to augment the atmosphere.

Linnets supremo Joey Dunn kept an unbeaten line-up, with the starting eleven that had won at Atherton Collieries earlier in the week looking to continue their form.

The game started brightly, with the first chance falling to Antony Hickey, whose chance led to a corner.

Ryan Cox headed just wide from an accurate Kyle Hamid free-kick, while Hickey continued at a frenetic pace, chasing down after good work from Matty Atherton and probably deserving more than the resulting goal kick.

Both Ashley Woods and Nicolaos Evangelinos went close for the visitors, the latter flashing a shot across goal. More great build-up from Runcorn saw Cox head wide again before Mark Houghton's afternoon was cut short with a head injury, which saw him replaced by Kurt Sherlock.

The next injury was to the referee, and he was replaced by an assistant, Luckily, there were a number of qualified referees in the crowd, and the game continued with a willing volunteer.

The major talking point of the first period came moments later, with The Linnets appealing for a handball inside the box.

The replacement middle man judged it to be outside, however, and the last chance of the half fell to Cox, who saw his rasping drive tipped wide by Hayden Buckley-Smith.

A full hour after kick-off, the first half finally ended.

The Linnets gained the upper hand in the second period, with West Didsbury & Chorlton still looking dangerous on the counter. Hamid's long-range strike was well saved, and he then combined well with Hickey before Kieron Brislen's attempt was gathered smartly.

Visiting defender Scott Mason did well to scupper Hickey's cross as the home side turned up the pressure. Cox came even closer, heading against a post and seeing his rebound header saved.

Michael Ellison crossed well, but Hamid headed wide, and Ellison was replaced by Freddie Potter as Joey Dunn looked to up the ante.

Kurt Sherlock's free-kick went just over, as did Potter's looping header.

Chances were being created at both ends, Woods fired wide for the visitors, but time was running out with The Linnets looking most likely.

Hickey couldn't steer home in a goalmouth scramble, Sherlock fired over after a probing Brislen run, and the final whistle sounded after a wasted free-kick that summed up the home side's frustrations.

Runcorn Linnets: Porter, Brislen, Atherton, Humphreys, White, Ellison (capt), Simpson, Hamid, Cox, Hickey, Houghton. Subs: Sherlock, Potter. Not Used: Jones, Hardwick. Armstrong.

West Didsbury & Chorlton: Buckley-Smith, Mason, Socha, Eckersley, Rogers (capt), Potts, Lilley, Gavin, Woods, Kay, Evangelinos. Subs: Steer, Gleave, Brockley, Settle, Dee.

Attendance:308.

Defender James Buckley is freed by Linnets Runcorn Linnets have tonight (Monday) released left full-back James Buckley, who hadn't featured in the first-team squad since very early in the season.

James, whose six Runcorn appearances included three as a substitute, is expected to sign for fellow North West Counties League Premier Division side, Bootle and we wish him well for the future.