A LATE Trafford goal sunk Runcorn Linnets' hopes of registering a straight hat-trick of wins this season against their BetVictor Northern Premier League rivals.

Ten minutes into the second half, a football match broke out, triggered by a Trafford goal, a Runcorn double substitution and an equaliser, all in the space of three minutes.

The remainder of the game contained about ninety-five per cent of its entertainment value.

Linnets were visiting Shawe Lane for the second time this season, hoping to put on as brilliant a show as they did in winning 3-0 in the FA Trophy in October.

The hosts were planning to fare better and to avoid a repeat of the outcome in the first league meeting at The Millbank in December, when they were the better side but succumbed to a late 2-1 Runcorn turnaround.

There were two new faces in the Linnets team, with new goalkeeper Craig Ellison making his debut, and midweek signing from Marine Craig Lindfield also in the starting eleven.

The game started scrappily, with both sides marking tight and challenging quickly, preventing fluid football, which was tricky anyway in a gusty, swirling wind.

Amado broke the deadlock from close range for Trafford and Linnets’ boss Michael Ellison responded immediately to the setback by ringing the changes, Ryan Gibson and Wharton coming on for Hamid and Caddick.

Both substitutes were the architects of an equaliser with Lindfield finishing smartly into the left corner.

Alas, Lewis Salmon deposited the ball inside the right post for the host's winner.