RUNCORN Linnets maintained their recent stranglehold on Runcorn derbies in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division with a close and hard-fought victory over Runcorn Town, writes Mark Buckley.

A great Millbank Linnets Stadium crowd of almost 600 saw a typical and passionate Easter Monday game, with limited amounts of flair but high-octane, end-to-end desire – an encounter, which was made all the more enjoyable by some sensible, no-nonsense refereeing from Mr M Woods.

Linnets boss Joey Dunn recalled Antony Hickey to the starting line-up to replace "under-the-weather" Ryan Cox, while Town supremo Simon Burton included three ex-Linnets in his 11 - Chris Lawton, Chris Dykes, and Billy Webb all returning across town, if only for a visit.

It was The Linnets who started brightly, Hickey back-heeled in for Matt Atherton, whose effort was headed behind with the dangerous corner that resulted then being headed clear.

Kieron Brislen's deep cross eluded Freddie Potter, and another corner was headed over by River Humphreys. Mike White's cross was next to be put behind for yet another corner, as Town keeper 'Daniel Lever struggled to clear his lines, kicking into a strong wind.

Town then found their rhythm, and set about attacking the Hallmark Stand End. A free-kick from the visitors was cleared by River Humphreys, and it was Humphreys who again thwarted the first Town corner.

The ensuing cross was pawed away by Linnets stopper Dean Porter, as Town maintained pressure. The only Linnets chance in this spell fell to Mike White, who blazed over from distance.

The best opportunity of the game up to this point fell to Town's Ablewhite, who headed straight at Porter.

Michael Simpson crossed for Freddie Potter for The Linnets, but he headed off target, and Atherton flicked on expertly for Potter, but the pass for Kyle Hamid was over-hit.

The referee then waved away a home penalty shout after a strong challenge on Brislen but The Linnets almost took the lead when Hickey hit a post, the ball somehow staying out after coming agonisingly back across goal.

At the other end, Town went close with a curling shot after Porter had punched away an effort from James McShane.

The breakthrough came just after a frenetic half hour. Simpson played an exquisite one-two with Potter and steered home his volley past a helpless Lever to give the home side the lead.

This galvanised The Linnets and they finished the half strongly. Brislen crossed but Potter couldn't quite get on the end, and Simpson drove forward well but Mark Houghton shot just wide.

The final chance of an action-packed half came from a Matt Atherton free-kick, saved well by Lever.

Town came out for the second period looking resolute, equalising soon after the restart, with The Linnets failing to deal with a corner, and Town centre half Chris Lawton heading home to become the first player to score for both teams in the Runcorn Derby.

He had scored the Linnets' winner on the same ground in April 2012.

The Linnets had chances to strike back quickly, Lever saving from Hickey after a great ball from Kieron Brislen, and Brislen was again the provider as he crossed for Potter to head over.

There was more Linnets pressure from a corner, and then Hickey headed down for Humphreys, who saw his shot blocked.

At the other end came a major let-off for the men in yellow and green, as Town couldn't quite find a finishing touch on a ball that bobbled around the goal line.

This aside, the better chances were falling for The Linnets in a half in danger of falling flat, as some of the tempo slipped out of the game.

Hickey headed wide from a looping cross, and Simpson had a shot saved after a long free-kick. Midfield anchor man Michael Ellison was sacrificed as Joey Dunn introduced attack-minded Kurt Sherlock to try to introduce extra flair and invention.

However, Town almost regained the lead from a corner, this time the chance was headed straight at Porter.

Minutes later, The Linnets thought they had had the edge again. Kyle Hamid played a looped pass into Hickey, who blasted his shot into the side netting.

But on 85 minutes, The Linnets gained a free-kick, which was delivered from the right with pin-point accuracy by Sherlock, and Matt Atherton rose highest to head home majestically, sparking scenes of jubilation among the majority of the crowd.

It was a fitting contribution from a player, who has played more times for his club than any other, and indeed featured in the first ever Runcorn Derby back in 2011. Athers has now scored 58 times in Linnets colours but this was only his second goal of a season which has seen a conversion for him from left winger to full back.

Despite the chaotic scenes of celebration, The Linnets still had five or so minutes to see the game out, and Town had one more chance that Porter saved with relative comfort.

There was an exchange between Potter and Lawton that the referee diffused quickly, and the eleventh Runcorn Derby was brought to a close without a single card being shown - testament to decent playing spirit and good refereeing, which combined to make this an enthralling game.

Town may have been aggrieved to come away without a point for their spirited efforts, while Joey Dunn will once again be thankful that goals can come from anywhere on the pitch for The Linnets.

When the forwards can't seem to find the target, there are still clinical finishes from less likely sources. All members of the current back four have now scored in the last fortnight or so.

In the race for promotion, this was a highly-satisfying Easter period for Joey's men, with two more tricky encounters negotiated well, but I'm sure that the Linnets fans would love a similar results tally in April to that in March, when The Linnets took 19 out of a possible 21 league points.

Linnets:Dean Porter, Kieron Brislen, Matt Atherton, River Humphreys, Michael White, Michael Ellison (C), Michael Simpson, Kyle Hamid, Freddie Potter, Antony Hickey, Mark Houghton. Sub: Kurt Sherlock. Subs Not Used: Tom Hardwick, Kyle Armstrong, Franny Smith, Taylor Kennerley.

Town: Daniel Lever, Chris Lester, Sean Kelly, Chris Dykes, Chris Lawton, Danny Toone, Paul Shanley (C), Gareth Grant, Robert Abelwhite, James McShane, Billy Webb. Subs: Daley Woods, Declan Gregson, Jack Irlam, Samuel Houghton, Tom Spearritt.

Attendance:581.