All good things must come to an end...

FC United of Manchester U21s 2 Runcorn Linnets U21s 1

Arty Benjamin jumps to it for Linnets Under 21s

Pictures by Kelly Jones

Unable to fully repair the damage inflicted in the first half, Linnets suffered first-time defeat as a Premier Division side in the North West Under 21s Development League.

Since winning promotion as Championship Division B title winners at the end of last season - their first since being re-formed - Runcorn had gone seven top-flight league matches unbeaten, registering six wins and a draw.

He's behind you! It's Jay Lee lurking behind two FCUM players

Two League Cup victories made it 10 undefeated overall.

However, the run was ended on Sunday by the mid-table Rebel Reds.

Lew Crane goes for goal but without success this time

Defensive mistakes led to FCUM taking a merited 2-0 lead into half-time thanks to goals by Bob Bubacarr Jammeh (20 mins) and Harrison Beck (32 mins).

Linnets uncharacteristically failed to create a single chance in the opening 45 minutes.

Cam Schofield covers the ground to avert danger

The team management's message to the players at the break was to be patient, more positive and brave in possession.

The first 15 minutes were much better performance wise and the visitors deservedly pulled one back with a superb finish from the ever-dangerous Lewis Crane.

Man of the match Joel Street takes the game to the opposition.

This was his 15th goal of the campaign in which he is still averaging a little more than two goals per game.

Unfortunately despite pushing for an equaliser, it wouldn’t come.

"We missed several chances and it just wasn’t our day," said boss Ste Ellams.

Zack Parker stretches out with possession up for grabs

Man of the Match was a tough pick as Linnets were a long way below their best.

But Sunday's Thistledown Group award went to Joel Street, who in his 75 minutes on the field demanded the ball, was positive and kept going.

Still in second place, Linnets will look to bounce back this Sunday, when they have a huge game at leaders Warrington Town.

Runcorn trail Warrington by 11 points but have three games in hand.

The last time the teams met, at the beginning of November, Linnets claimed the points from a 4-3 thriller at APEC Taxis Stadium.

Billy McNay is in the twilight zone on a cold and wet evening

The match at Cardinal Newman Catholic High School in Bridgewater Avenue, Warrington. WA4 1RX kicks off at 1pm.

Runcorn Linnets U21s: George Huyton, Billy McNay, Sam Hamling, Arty Benjamin, Jay Lee, Cameron Schofield, Ben Crane, Tom Beswick, Zack Parker, Macauley Clifton, Joel Street. Subs used: Lewis Crane, Owen Cushion, Zack Kopanski, Eneil Gumbs. Not used: Alex Ellams (GK).