TRADITIONAL Boxing Day football felt long awaited at a rain-drenched Millbank, where Runcorn Linnets shared four goals with Prescot Cables in front of a 424 crowd.

Martyn Jackson gave Cables the lead and it wouldn’t be the last time the hosts would have to come back from flawed defending.

Cables had led for seven minutes when Gibson was fouled just outside the penalty area, a couple of strides from the goal line.

Paul Shanley was insistent that the offence had taken place inside the area,but seconds later he had less cause for concern.

The six-yard box was policed as it would be a for a corner.

But with Zac Aley on the bench, Cables saw no urgent need to guard the far post. They can’t have been as familiar with Louis Corrigan, as he has extensive ‘previous’ for curling it into the far top corner, and that is exactly what he did.

Cables’ captain McCulloch headed the visitors back in front.

Manager Michael Ellison performed line-up surgery after 62 minutes, with McKinney and Gallagher replaced by Connor McCarthy and new signing from Marine, centre-back Scott Lycett.

On 77 minutes, two attempts in a crowded area from a corner were blocked before Caddick had a third, and smashed it into the roof of the net from six yards, for his first Linnets goal.

On New Year’s Day Linnets seek a league double over City of Liverpool at Bootle FC, kick-off 3pm.