Last-gasp Linnets are on top of the pile!

Runcorn celebrate Harry McGee's stoppage-time winner, which leaves them in pole position.

Runcorn Linnets 1 Chasetown 0

Report by Dave Bettley with pictures by Ben Jackson

Runcorn went top of Northern Premier League West after another late smash and grab against Chasetown.

Having scored last-gasp winners in their last two meetings with the Midlanders, Linnets again produced a stunning stoppage-time winner.

It's the first time they have led the table since December 29th 2018 - after beating Skelmersdale United 2-1 at home, also under Michael Ellison's management.

In an amazing finish to an unremarkable match, sub Harry McGee's free-kick was deflected off the visiting wall past Scholars 'keeper Nathan Pond.

McGee had turned around Linnets' away game against the same opponents earlier in the month by setting up a pair of added time goals in a 2-1 win.

His decider on Tuesday came in the fourth and final minute of the referee's allowance for stoppages.

In means that Runcorn will head to Lower Breck this Saturday with a one-point advantage over the Liverpudlians, after ending the Anfield outfit's long-time lead of the division.

More magic from McGee as the midfielder turns the midweek match in favour of the hosts.

It could not have been a more dramatic finish because a goal had looked more unlikely the longer the game went on.

Both sides missed chances in the first half but there had seemed little chance of a breakthrough after the interval.

However, in this fixture you can never write Runcorn off.

Lewis Crane set the trend by netting with virtually the last kick as Linnets won 3-2 at Chasetown last February.

They had a bit of unsuspecting help this time.

McGee deservedly gets the credit because his shot was on target, but the ball glanced off Chasetown left back Joe Dunne on its way in.

To make matters worse for the visitors, in the kind of game where you always fancied one goal would be enough, they fluffed the biggest opportunity.

Livewire Luke Yates had the goal at his mercy midway through the first half.

Bayleigh Passant, in saving a fizzing effort from ex-Linnet Kevin Spinelli, turned the ball straight into the No.10's path.

All alone seven yards out, Yates somehow hit the rebound against a post.

Runcorn had started brightly, James Steele and Scott Bakkor attacking Chasetown in wide areas.

The former came inside from the left to see a goalbound shot diverted away for a corner by Scholars' skipper Nathan Cameron.

Runcorn's Isaac Graham later headed wide from a corner with a good view of goal.

But Linnets then had to withstand strong Chasetown pressure ahead of half-time.

It had been a frustrating night for Linnets before they struck late for victory.

Despite the best endeavours of both sides, the second half was disjointed.

Set-pieces always seemed the likeliest source of a goal.

Pond pulled off tipover saves from headers at free-kicks by his own captain and Linnets defender Adam Rooney, man of the match on his return to the side.

Spinelli's industry kept Runcorn's defence on their toes and he almost provided another twist in the tale after Runcorn had scored. But he toe-poked wide.

Chasetown's final ball had been their let down, Passant fielding a series of stray deliveries into his box.

With time all but up, a foul by Todd Ferrier on Steele brought the visiting midfielder a caution - Runcorn's Rooney and the already- substituted Scott Bakkor likewise being yellow-carded in an eventful end to the contest.

Fatefully, Ferrier's misdemenour brought Linnets a chance to go for goal from a central position just outside the box. They took full advantage.

Scorer McGee had only come on to the field in the 82nd minute and before the game could restart after his goal, he was off again.

The midfielder sustained an injury in the frantic celebrations, which followed his matchwinner.

It continued Runcorn's recent hamstring curse.

McGee is expected to miss Saturday's top-of-the table clash against his previous club.

But on the plus side, left back Matty Rain and central defender Harvey Washington returned to action after similar injuries, as winger Elliot Rokka made his first start as a Linnets player.

Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain, Adam Rooney, Peter Wylie, Jacques Welsh (Harry McGee, 82 mins, Declan McLoughlin replaced Magee 90+5 mins), Elliot Rokka (Harvey Washington, 77 mins), Isaac Graham (Steven Irwin, 46 mins), Scott Bakkor (Ryan Brooke, 80 mins), Sean Miller, James Steele.

Attendance: 509.