A RARE Friday night under The Millbank Linnets Stadium lights brought a rewarding end to a tough festive schedule for Runcorn Linnets.

The 2-0 victory against fellow high flyers Hanley Town closed out the festive "triple-header" of Hallmark Security Premier Division fixtures in seven days with a perfect haul of nine points collected, 11 goals scored and none conceded.

Injuries from the 5-0 victory over Runcorn Town and player unavailability meant that Michael Ellison had to shuffle his pack.

Freddie Potter, Adam Jones and Kyle Hamid all returned to the starting 11 in place of Mark Houghton, Matty Atherton and Mike Simpson.

Linnets had a great chance to open the scoring as half-time approached.

Neat inter-play between Freddie Potter and Kris Holt set up the attacking midfielder to rifle in a shot that was well saved at close range by Hanley's goalkeeper.

As a cagey first half drew to a close, Hanley almost got their noses in front.

After winning a free-kick on the edge of the Linnets penalty area, the ball was fired in low by Theo Stair to the division's leading goal scorer Dan Cope, who found the target with a fierce strike from only six yards out.

However, Danny O'Brien was there to block the ball on the goal line and force it clear.

Linnets broke the deadlock in a way that they are not accustomed to.

Taking the ball from his goalkeeper Matt Holmes, centre back Jimmy Moore launched a long ball forward that sent Potter through on goal.

After beating the offside trap, the striker also beat the goalkeeper with a great finish into the far bottom corner.

Hanley's best chance of the second half came as a slight misjudgement in the Linnets back four of a bouncing ball gave Stair a sight at goal. But Holmes made a solid block at his near post.

The result was secured for the Linnets with seven minutes remaining.

Hanley struggled to clear from a corner and when Kyle Hamid's shot was blocked, the rebound fell to Potter who finished brilliantly on the volley from 12 yards out.

Linnets: Matt Holmes, Adam Jones, Aaron Morris, Jimmy Moore, Danny O'Brien, Kieran Nolan, Kristian Holt, Kyle Hamid, Freddie Potter, Paul Shanley, Antony Hickey. Subs: Mark Houghton, Stuart Wellstead. Not used: Chris Lawton, Terry Smith.

Attendance: 352.