RUNCORN Linnets will go into their Evo-Stik League West Division campaign on the back of victory in the FA Cup.

Promoted Linnets, who head to Droylsden on Saturday, won 2-0 at Hallam in an entertaining FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie.

Victory means they will host Maltby Main from the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division – a step above Hallam – at the Millbank Linnets Stadium on Saturday, August 25.

Louis Corrigan picked out Freddie Potter, who found himself totally unmarked at the far post, to power in a header for a 27th-minute lead at Sandygate Road – officially recognised as the oldest football ground in the world.

The all important second goal came with 10 minutes remaining.

Great play in flicking the ball over a defender’s head, as he manoeuvred his way into the penalty area, created space for Kris Holt to pick out Paul Shanley lurking unmarked on the penalty spot.

Shanley was brought down for a penalty and with usual taker Danny O’Brien on the substitutes' bench it was left to Corrigan to send the imposing keeper Josh Branch the wrong way.

Adam Gilchrist made his Linnets debut as part of the front three in an otherwise starting XI with a familiar feel as manager Michael Ellison stands by his champion players.

Holidays and injuries has made pre-season tough though, and this led to 'Mr Runcorn' Matt Atherton signing forms late in the week and going straight into the heart of defence.

A debut is awaited for Hallmark Security League's reigning player of the year Zack Dale, who signed for Linnets last week.

He arrives at Linnets after netting 34 times for Barnoldswick Town last season, earning more man-of-the-match awards than any other player in the Step 5 league.

His scoring exploits earned him a summer return to Step 2 – with Ashton United, from where the striker/attacking midfielder has been recruited by Linnets on dual registration.

Dale is the second Vanarama National League North striker to register with Runcorn – the first being Gilchrist, who is on the books of FC United of Manchester.

The 23-year-old, born and bred in Burnley, is fresh from enjoying his best ever campaign in a career which has seen service to clubs on both sides of the Pennines.

He spent a year and a half at Barlick after returning to the game with Nelson, having sat out two seasons with a medial collatoral knee ligament rupture sustained while playing for Clitheroe.

Prior to that, Dale had been with Guiseley in Conference North and he has also played for Silsden and Colne.

Playing in all but two of Barnoldswick's 50 games last season, Dale finished fifth in the North West Counties top flight's goal charts.