Runcorn Linnets 2 Wythenshawe Town 2
Report by Dave Bettley
A short interregnum for Runcorn Linnets was completed with a fourth point from six for their caretaker managers.
Although denied the second victory they craved, senior players Ryan Brooke, Karl Clair and club captain James Short had to their great credit ensured a smooth and successful transition.
In Runcorn's second half performance last night, as with Saturday's 1-0 win at Newcastle Town, new manager Brad Cooke will have seen plenty to build on.
He was at both matches but incognito.
The appointment, along with that of Cooke's assistant Rob Sadler, were announced almost immediately after the full-time whistle in this third draw of the season against Wythenshawe.
The result could have been better with Linnets having gone 2-1 up after trailing at half-time.
But Runcorn had been fortunate to concede just the once in the first quarter of the contest, the Manchester side finding their feet much quicker.
Half-time prompted a major turnaround with Linnets dominating pretty much throughout and the hosts will feel unfortunate not to have won.
They certainly had the will and also the chances both before and after the Wythenshawe equaliser.
The sides have now met four times this season, having never done so before, with Town holding the edge thanks to their home FA Cup replay win. This was always going to be tough.
Eden Gumbs, unavailable at the weekend, returned at left back in the only change of personnel.
Naim Arsan reverted to a more advanced role with Adam Moseley dropping to the bench.
Linnets endured a somewhat torrid start with Wythenshawe going ahead through skipper Luke Nock in the 19th minute after Arsan had given the ball away.
Only the crossbar and a brilliant one-handed reflex save by Bayleigh Passant denied Town further riches.
Runcorn regained some kind of equilibrium before half-time although ironically, Clair was off balance when presented with their clearest shooting opportunity.
His effort from the edge of the box was deflected for a corner.
Feistiness had started to creep in at this stage with Town right back Sam Sheridan being booked for a poor challenge on Arsan.
Runcorn hadn't been helped by the 27th-minute loss through injury of Lewis Doyle, who had prior to kick-off received January's Player of the Month award.
Under 21s graduate Jorge Dwyer was the replacement chosen from a potential three. He repaid the confidence shown in him with a busy and assured performance. Dwyer's evening was only slightly tarnished by a caution for a foul.
Linnets were revitalised after the restart. The problems being caused by the Runcorn attackers were such that both of Town's centre backs, Rodney Ajahi and Samuel Omorogbe were carded.
Veteran George Boyd, a one-time Premier League player with Burnley, joined them in stoppage time for simulation in trying to 'win' a penalty.
There was no doubt whatsoever about the spot-kick award, which had brought Linnets level in the 51st minute.
Arsan twisted and turned to bamboozle Wythenshawe, drawing a foul from midfielder Niall Fallon, who had been sent one way and then the other.
Arsan took the penalty himself and despite Greg Hall trying to put the Welshman off, a left-foot shot into the bottom right corner was too powerful for the evergreen 'keeper.
Runcorn were now on top and Clair, breaking clear from halfway after Town's Fenton Green had let the ball slip, tried an audacious chip shot from more than 40 yards. It cleared the crossbar.
Having spent the first 45 minutes chasing the ball on the Runcorn right, Luke Wall now invariably had it at his feet and was running with menace.
Wythenshawe substitute Martijn Earl Smith steered a header wide from a Boyd corner in the 69th minute.
But five minutes later, Runcorn went ahead. In a repeat of their matchwinning combination at Newcastle, a superb assist by Clair, this time from a free-kick on the right flank, was met on the stretch by Brooke at the far post.
Town, like Runcorn before the break, threatened in only fits and starts but they caught Linnets out from an 80th-minute set piece.
The move culminated in earlier scorer Nock turning provider with a cross from the right of the box, which Jacob Blyth headed home convincingly as marker Brooke momentarily allowed his guard to drop.
Runcorn pressed hard to regain their advantage. Wall set up Moseley, a 79th-minute replacement, for a shot which Hall held onto. The angle had been a little too tight for the striker.
Great hold-up play by Brooke and a right-wing cross to match brought a chance for Wall, whose far-post header flashed agonisingly wide.
In an action-packed climax, almost exclusively in Wythenshawe territory, Wall turned sweetly onto a return pass by Moseley only to see his effort blocked.
Brooke sent a 25-yard free-kick over the top while Dwyer blazed a shot off target on the rebound, Moseley's attempt having been smothered.
Runcorn couldn't force a victory but it wasn't for the want of trying.
Co-caretaker boss Ryan Brooke said: "The first half the boys, myself included, looked and felt a little bit leggy. So we had a few words at half-time, just to try us going - get the legs moving; try to get the ball forward a bit quicker; get into good areas; get round the second balls and play in their half, which I think we did.
"We got back in game, got ourselves in front but, unfortunately, I lost my man at a set piece and to be fair it's a good header."
On the arrival of new manager Brad Cooke, Brooke added: "He'll come with fresh ideas, I'm sure. The lads will buy into it, it's an unbelievable group of boys and we'll do our best for him."
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Peter Wylie, Naim Arsan, Karl Clair, Harvey Washington, Callum Grogan, Eden Gumbs (Adam Moseley, 79 mins), Jacques Welsh, Ryan Brooke, Lewis Doyle (Jorge Dwyer), Luke Wall. Subs (not used): Lewis Nolan, Jack Grundy, Jaden Jones.
Attendance: 440.
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