Runcorn Linnets 1 Ashton Town 1 (Linnets win 2-1 on penalties)
Report by Dave Bettley with pictures by Peter Cantwell
Man-of-the-match Tom Myles returned from injury to spoil the homecoming party for Kevin Towey as Linnets averted a potential Liverpool FA Senior Cup shock with a second-round shootout win.
Former Runcorn favourite Towey was back on his old stomping ground as manager of Ashton Town and the North West Counties Division One North outfit belied their league status - two rungs below the hosts - to be level after 90 minutes.
It was straight to penalties without extra-time and 'keeper Myles, whose last appearance had been almost two months ago in the 2-1 Northern Premier League West win at Atherton Collieries, made his presence felt with two superb saves.
Collecting his prize from club director and fundraising manager Tracey Tinsley, the on-loan Manchester United stopper's heroics had been matched by his opposite number Aiden McKerney.
McKerney kept out kicks from substitute Ryan Brooke, like Myles making his Linnets comeback after a lengthy injury absence, and Jaden Jones.
But Ashton sent their first and fifth penalties over the Shed End crossbar - and with Naim Arsan (pictured right) and Peter Wylie (left) succeeding with Runcorn's third and fourth attempts, there was no need for the home side to take their fifth.
Ashton, who had been hosts for the reborn Linnets' first competitive game back in 2006, had three former Runcorn favourites in their playing ranks.
Michael Burke continues to roll back the years at centre half while Chris Lomax skippered the visitors from midfield. Winger Bevan Burey was on their bench.
After Saturday's 4-1 league loss at Clitheroe, Linnets ought to have been lifted by a sixth-minute opener.
A foul on Jones to the left edge of the box brought a free-kick opportunity, which Jacques Welsh gladly accepted with a curling shot into the opposite corner.
But Runcorn were suffering a hangover from their weekend disappointment and Ashton gave as good as they got.
George Lomax, brother of Chris, found space aplenty to advance in the inside right channel before rifling the underdogs back on terms within seven minutes of them falling behind.
There was little to choose between the teams for the remainder of the first half.
Welsh came closest to restoring the Linnets' advantage before the break as he ventured through the middle to unleash a long-range shot, which whistled narrowly wide.
Runcorn struggled for real momentum, however - invariably going sideways and even backwards in possession, without any positive pattern to their play.
Half-time changes brought the introduction of Brooke after a 13-game lay-off.
Taking up his traditional role as the central striker - Adam Moseley moving out to the left - Brooke showed touches of ingenuity in the opposition area.
But Ashton continued to hold firm and had their moments on the break, Chris Lomax's shot from outside the box forcing Myles to save at full stretch.
Runcorn passed the ball around well but not at the speed required to truly unsettle the away side.
Linnets were claiming a penalty when Jones was upended, landing a good three yards inside Ashton's box.
Referee Ryan Bostock's judgement was that the foul had been committed just outside.
Brooke stepped up to take the free-kick from slightly right of centre but fired it marginally wide.
The last 20 minutes brought virtually blanket pressure from Runcorn but with no reward.
They eventually made it through to the quarter-finals, against opponents still to be decided, the hard way.
This was the first of two county fixtures on successive Tuesdays, Vauxhall Motors next up for Linnets at APEC Taxis Stadium in the Cheshire Senior Cup.
Before that, Antony Kay takes the Yellow & Greens to Greater Manchester this Saturday to face Trafford.
Linnets need to make up lost ground after slipping another two places - to 13th - on account of midweek results.
Runcorn Linnets: Tom Myles, Sam Barratt, Naim Arsan, Jacques Welsh, Peter Wylie, Jack Grundy (Harvey Washington, 46 mins), Will Saxon, Lewis Nolan (Luke Wall, 57 mins), Adam Moseley, Jaden Jones, Eden Gumbs (Ryan Brooke, 46 mins). Subs (not used): Adam Morgan, Bayleigh Passant (GK), Karl Clair.
Attendance: 243.
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