McLoughlin and Brooke guide Linnets safely through

Ryan Brooke (No 12) is congratulated after scoring.

Pickering Town 0 Runcorn Linnets 2

Report by Dave Bettley with photos by Neil Thornton

Early-rising Linnets were first into the hat for the Third Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup after making light of a two-and-a-half hour journey for a 12.30pm kick off in North Yorkshire.

They completed a straight hat-trick of shutout away wins against opponents from a level lower when accounting for Pickering 'live' on BBC TV.

The hosts had been unbeaten at home this season in all competitions.

But Linnets made early superiority count midway through the first half as Dec McLoughlin's 20-yard strike was deflected in.

The Pikes upped their game in the last 10 of the half, bringing the first of three fine debut saves from Runcorn 'keeper Harvey Bardsley.

The second half was more even but the visitors sealed a worthy victory in the 84th minute with an unerring finish from talisman Ryan Brooke.

Togetherness and appreciation for the fans.

Away supporters had arrived to learn that 'keeper Bayleigh Passant was sidelined by an infected knee.

As if early-season selection issues hadn't been exacting enough already, manager Brad Cooke found himself having to unearth a late replacement.

Bardsley joined on Friday for a short-term loan from Blackpool.

The 19-year-old dealt admirably with coming in cold for such an important match at the 11th hour - and all under the television spotlight.

Joe Ferguson returned to the starting line-up after injury but Matty Rain and Adam Rooney were only fit enough for spots on the bench. Sean Miller rejoined the casualty list after going off in Tuesday's first defeat of the campaign at Bury.

Chester loanee Oskar Rosenblatt was handed his starting debut while it was reassuring to see skipper Jacques Welsh return as a late substitute after a one-month injury absence.

His last appearance had been in the FA Cup tie at Whitchurch on August 16th, Runcorn having played five games without him.

Lewis Doyle is hemmed in near a corner flag but he eventually wriggles free to get in a cross.

Linnets completely dominated the opening half hour, Lewis Doyle, Markell Foulds and McLoughlin being quick to stamp their authority in midfield.

Harvey Washington, commanding in the centre of defence, headed against a post at a corner before Scott Bakkor had a goal chalked off for offside.

It was a borderline decision. Washington had again won the ball in the air, this time from an Arsan free-kick, to set up the close-range opportunity.

Pressure paid off in the 22nd minute with McLoughlin grabbing his first Linnets goal.

His on-target effort ricocheted off Town's right back Ben Leyland, ending up in the right corner of the goal.

The Pikes, who had won five out of six games at Mill Lane, had scarcely had a sniff.

Their two leading scorers, George Brown and Souleymane Coulibaly, a former Ivory Coast International at U17s and U20s levels, had been perceived as their main threats.

But before the break, it was Joe Wood, playing wide on their left, who asked most questions of Linnets. Cooke's men are still to concede an FA Cup goal four games in.

Quick-thinking Wood almost caught out Bardsley with a free-kick, which seemed to have the 'keeper beaten but was narrowly wide of the right post.

Very late in the first half, Wood's header forced the first significant contribution from the tall Bardsley in turning the winger's effort around his right post.

As Runcorn attacked down the slope in the second half on a pitch, also undulating from side to side, the play initially followed a similar pattern to the first - with the visitors calling the tune.

The Pikes again worked their way back into the contest, although this time sooner. The other big difference was Linnets finished strongly.

Havving struck the woodwork for a second time through Doyle in the 53rd minute, they had another goal controversially ruled out.

Ryan Brooke puts more pressure on Pickering 'keeper Alfie Burnett.

But by the time Brooke saw his left-post tap-in chalked off - TV suggesting he had been onside when Washington headed back across goal from another corner - Linnets' all-time record scorer had already settled the issue.

He drove right-footed inside the same upright after more great work by Arsan in exploiting uncertainty in Pickering's defence.

Scott Bakkor kept defenders occupied throughout.

Bakkor came close to adding to his four FA Cup goals to date - in an overall campaign total of nine - but his dipping shot was a little too high.

Pickering had earlier sensed an equaliser in when Brown, likewise with nine for the season, for once got behind Linnets' defence.

Bardsley, however, did well to deal with the the shot - defiantly parrying it away.

The emergency 'keeper responded again deep into stoppage time as Coulibaly got a scissor-kick effort away while grounded inside the Runcorn area.

But overall, Linnets were too strong and well organised for the Northern Counties East League Premier Division side while also possessing a little extra quality.

Runcorn have made it this far in the FA Cup only twice before and they will be looking for a favourable draw on Monday as they bid for a first-time place in the Fourth Round Qualifying.

Runcorn Linnets, Harvey Bardsley, Joe Ferguson, Eden Gumbs (Matty Rain, 71 mins), Peter Wylie, Harvey Washington, Markell Foulds, Oskar Rosenblatt (Ryan Brooke, 61 mins), Lewis Doyle (Jorge Dwyer, 90+1 mins), Scott Bakkor, Dec McLoughlin (Marcus Cusani, 87 mins), Naim Arsan (Jacques Welsh, 86 mins). Subs (not used) Alex Ellams (GK), Adam Rooney.

Attendance: 1,026.

Case for the defence - Linnets, who began their run with a 1-0 victory over NPL West rivals Clitheroe have gone 360 minutes without conceding an FA Cup goal.