Chester Women 1 Runcorn Linnets Ladies 0.

REIGNING champions Linnets Ladies came away from table-topping Chester empty-handed on Sunday, despite the best performance so far in defence of their Cheshire Women's League title.

Runcorn matched their peak form of last season, playing throughout with a passion, commitment and togetherness that warranted something from this game.

Linnets, by far the better side for the most part, did everything but score before conceding a devastating goal four minutes from time.

Attacking up the slope in the first half, the visitors had more than a fair share of possession and created the better chances while restricting the home side to the odd long-range effort way off target. A few through balls were more than comfortably dealt with by the solid Linnets back four, Player of the Game Sadie Bond's last-ditch challenge denying the clearest opportunity in the 28th minute.

At the other end, Runcorn pressed and regularly asked questions of the Chester back line.

The first chance was cleared off the line by frantic Chester defending after Mandy Kennedy and Beth Coppin had sent shots towards goal with both efforts some how staying out.

On 12 minutes an exquisite cross-field ball from Chelsea Gillies found Chester’s two central defenders wanting, the ball picking out Tempany Carlson on the right. Driving into the area, the winger saw her shot veer wide of the keeper's left post

With 24 minutes on the clock, a good passage of pass-and-move football from the visitors, involving Carlson and Gillies, sent Beth Coppin clear but the young strike's effort went wide.

Just after the half hour, Kennedy again played in Carlson for a chance, and another effort off target. A few minutes later, defender Jo Finnegan made a solid challenge to quickly turn defence into attack - passing to Kennedy, who moved the ball forward for midfielder Emma McLarney to play in Coppin for a half chance, not taken.

On 36 minutes, Kennedy went on a driving run before shooting from 25 yards, the effort again wide.

Chester had a good chance in the 39th minute, Linnets' back line being caught out for the first time. The effort went across 'keeper Nat Pinnington and wide of the far, right post.

With half-time looming, Linnets pushed forward with Gillies' long-range effort again wide.

At the start of the second half, Runcorn continued where they left off with Gillies and Kennedy combining to set up Coppin but Chester 'keeper Charlotte Dunbebin was quick off her line to save with an outstretched leg.

Runcorn held firm. Anca on the left, Finnegan and Bond at centre halves and Evans at right back all worked hard throughout to keep Chester at bay. Finnegan and Bond were immense at the heart of the defensive effort.

On 60 minutes, off came Coppin and Lucy Wieland, to be replaced by Megan Pickering and Becky Barker in like-for-like changes.

Runcorn thought they had scored in the 63rd minute after good play involving Barker down the left. The winger's cross eluded everyone until Carlson picked up the ball on the right and delivered a perfect cross for McLarney to head goalbound - 'keeper Dunbebin tipping over to keep Runcorn out.

This was followed by a Gillies effort put wide.

A minute later, Barker again got down the left to cross for Pickering to half-volley over.

Runcorn continued to press forward, Carlson clearing the bar from distance.

In the last 10 minutes, Beth Graham entered the game in place of the hard-working McLarney while Frankie Valdez replaced Carlson. Another chance went begging almost instantly as Gillies' shot was fumbled - no Linnets player able to capitalise.

The sucker punch came in the 86th minute, a Chester corner dropping for Lauren Stringer, who connected well to secure all three points for the league leaders and leave Runcorn deflated after all their possession and efforts.

Runcorn Linnets Ladies: Pinnington (capt), Anca, Finnegan, Bond, Evans, Gillies, Kennedy, McLarney (Graham), Carlson (Valdez), Wieland (Barker), Coppin (Pickering). Sub not used: Cairns.