Linnets forced to settle for repeat point at Stafford after letting lead slip

Markell Foulds doubles the Linnets' lead at Stan Robinson Stadium. Picture by KELLY JONES.

Stafford Rangers 2 Runcorn Linnets 2

Report by Dave Bettley

When you've been two goals up at the interval, a draw feels like a defeat.

Linnets were presented with goals at either end of the first half but handed back the gifts in the second half of a game short on quality.

The saving grace was that Runcorn didn't lose.

With Brad Cooke's side having conceded a stoppage-time equaliser at Stan Robinson Stadium last season, there was a fe9ar that Stafford might strike a winner once they were back on terms.

Runcorn couldn't have wished for a better start than a lead inside the first minute (after 26 seconds), with Naim Arsan pouncing on uncertainty between the home 'keeper and a defender to find the net with a delicate chip.

A further Runcorn score before half-time was something of a bonus.

There had been little activity in either goalmouth to suggest a second goal had been coming.

Matty Rain's delivery from right-wing corners had been disappointing, not beating the first man, but the left back got a 40th-minute flagkick spot on.

A clenched fist celebration from Markell Foulds, with centre back Adam Rooney after his first Runcorn goal. Picture by KELLY JONES.

The ball landed on the head of midfielder Markell Foulds, who found himself free just beyond the near post and flicked it home for his first goal in Runcorn colours.

With a two-goal advantage, it's often difficult to know whether to stick or twist.

The early second- half moments were promising. But a spell of early Runcorn pressure was broken and as the action switched to the other end, Rain had his pocket picked, losing possession on the visiting deadball line.

The resulting cross from the right went in front of the visiting defence for Rangers' left back and captain Andrew Burns to strike from the centre of the penalty area.

It was a match-turning moment, which gave Stafford the momentum.

Lewis Crane finds little room for manoeuvre in attack. Picture courtesy of JIM WALL

With Runcorn making little headway in offensive areas, the ball was coming back at them with frustrating regularity.

Kaiman Anderson, a Stafford scorer in both previous meetings with the Linnets, looked dangerous.

He couldn't find the net this time but did the next best thing - providing a teasing cross behind Runcorn's defence.

Joseph Thomas, one of the smaller players on the field, met it on the run with a header, which went in at the near side of goal in the 69th minute.

It's one way to contest the ball but perhaps not to be recommended as Sean Miller puts his head in where it could hurt. Picture courtesy of JIM WALL

Markell Foulds and Sean Miller, both having only recently returned from injury, had both needed lengthy treatment to cause Linnets further concern.

Stafford's leveller almost immediately followed playmaker Miller's enforced withdrawal.

The Runcorn No.10's last contribution was a pass to Arsan, whose angled shot from the left arrowed over the home crossbar.

Skipper Jacques Welsh replaced Miller and Marcus Cusani came on for Oskar Rosenblatt in a double substitution before talismanic striker Ryan Brooke made his comeback after a concussion break.

Cusani had Runcorn's clearest chance of the second half but a close-range save left the wideman still waiting to start paying back goals scored against Linnets in the past.

Stafford had their openings too. If either side looked like winning the game late on, it seemed more likely to be the men in black and white stripes - and Runcorn were not wearing their away kit.

In Tuesday's victory over Sporting Khalsa, there were several candidates for the Yellow & Greens' man of the match.

Linnets scorer Naim Arsan gets involved in a tussle. Picture courtesy of JIM WALL.

But after this performance, it was difficult to choose one although Arsan and Foulds provided special moments with their goals.

A win would have taken Linnets above Stafford in the Northern Premier League West Division table but in truth neither team deserved victory.

Runcorn at least jumped one position to 15th but they need to start converting away draws into victories if they are to capitalise fully on matches in hand in the weeks ahead.

This was an ideal opportunity.

Runcorn Linnets: Greg Hall, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain, Markell Foulds, Adam Rooney, Harvey Washington, Oskar Rosenblatt (Marcus Cussni 68 mins), Lewis Doyle, Lewis Crane (Ryan Brooke, 78 mins), Sean Miller (Jacques Welsh, 68 mins) Naim Arsan. Subs (not used): Eden Gumbs, Peter Wylie.

Attendance: 669.

Pick on someone your own size! Linnets subs Ryan Brooke (above) and Jacques Welsh enjoy a half-time kick about with mascots from Stafford Rangers U9s. The kids loved it too! Pictures by KELLY JONES.