Lewis Crane finishes a job started by Street and continued by Parker

Joel Street headed Linnets in front inside two minutes.

Hyde United Under 21s A 3

Runcorn Linnets U21s 4

Pictures by Kelly Jones

Prolific striker Lewis Crane crowned a Jekyll and Hyde performance from Linnets Under 21s with their stoppage-time winner.

Crane, 18, secured all three Premier Division points for the North West U21s Development League's second-placed side, having come off the substitutes' bench with 12 minutes left.

This was Crane's 14th goal in five appearances at the age group this season.

It leaves Linnets with six wins from seven unbeaten league games, laying down a marker for a possible League Cup meeting of the clubs, also on Tameside - although firstly, Hyde must get past neighbours Stalybridge Celtic.

This wasn't the most consistent of displays from the visitors, and far from a straightforward win.

Creator of the opening goal, Macauley Clifton is this time closed down in possession.

Runcorn made a lightning start and were ahead before Hyde had so much as completed a pass.

From an excellent passage of Linnets play, an excellent Macauley Clifton cross was nodded in by Joel Street inside two minutes.

It was the attacking wide man's fifth goal in his last five games - and all have been scored with his head.

Within 10 minutes, it was 2-0 as Thistledown Group Man of the Match, Zack Parker continued his good form with the first goal of his two.

Hyde were reduced to 10 men, the dismissed player having kicked out off the ball. But Hyde pulled a goal back and could have had more.

"We took the foot off the gas and were punished; 2-1 at half time flattered us," admitted Runcorn U21s boss Ste Ellams

"After a great first 15 minutes, we got really complacent."

Thistledown Group Man of the Match Zack Parker.

The start to the second half was equally impressive from Linnets with Parker again on target on the hour to restore the two-goal advantage,

But huge credit goes to Hyde for their efforts in the remaining minutes.

They hit back from 1-3 down to equalise, as Runcorn toiled, before Crane struck decisively six minutes into added time.

"We got really lucky but it keeps the unbeaten run going," added the relieved Runcorn boss Ellams.

Linnets stay eight points behind leaders Warrington Town, who triumphed 6-0 at Nantwich Town. Runcorn hold three games in hand.

Billy McNay nips in to get to the ball first.

After an early start for a 10.30am game at Project Solar Stadium, this Sunday's match at FC United of Manchester's Broadhurst Park kicks off at 4pm.

Runcorn Linnets U21s: George Huyton, Callum Prince (Tom Beswick), Sam Hamling, Owen Cushion, Jay Lee (captain), Cameron Schofield, Zack Parker (Lewis Crane, Parker back on for Ben Crane)  Arty Benjamin (Billy McNay), Ben Crane, Macauley Clifton, Joel Street (Zack Kopanski, Street back on for Clifton). Sub not used: Alex Ellams (GK).