"Not good enough," admits Ello as Linnets surrender to newly-promoted Ammies

Wythenshawe 1 Runcorn Linnets 0

Report by Dave Bettley

Wythenshawe 'keeper Ryan Forde advances from his area to clear from Noah Roberts. Picture by Neil Thornton

A second sobering defeat in three matches leaves Michael Ellison with much to ponder and work on.

It wasn't the result itself but more the performance that will cause most concern because Linnets were dreadful in attack.

Wythenshawe were just as ineffective in truth. But with Runcorn never looking like scoring, there was always a fear among travelling fans that the Greater Manchester hosts only needed to create and convert one chance,

So it proved. The Ammies grabbed the only goal in the 79th minute to secure their first points since returning to NPL West this season.

With both centre forwards in his squad still sidelined by injury, the boss had redoubled his efforts to draft in a like-for-like replacement but was unable to complete the deal.

If the loss of Lewis Buckley and Connor Harwood - not forgetting that the infuencial No.10 Scott Miller still hasn't kicked a ball since hernia surgery in the summer - can be considered a reason for a lack of punch in front of goal, nobody at Linnets will see the absences as an excuse.

It's up to others to find a way but it didn't happen in the midweek home defeat to Bootle and Linnets were no closer to an answer on Saturday.

They got more than enough ball in the opposition box in the first half but there was nobody on the end of crosses. All attempts on goal were either off target or didn't cause the 'keeper any problems.

After the break, the balls in themselves were lacked quality and too many wrong options were taken.

Until Joel Ankers, ironically Wythenshawe's own No.9, settled the issue at point-blank range, neither goalkeeper had been forced to make a difficult save.

Left back Matty Rain tries to open up the game for Linnets, Picture by Bobby Hancox

Home captain Sam Adewusi burst between two Runcorn defenders into the six-yard box after taking a return pass from Chidera Aniniru.

In trying to deal with the shot as the home skipper menacingly closed on goal, Calvin Hare could only divert the ball into the path of Ankers, who buried the chance.

Runcorn had until that point done what they had to in defence and Toby Jones competed well for much of his full debut for the club.

The former Marine and Vauxhall Motors centre back replaced Scott Holding, who had sustained an injury in midweek.

But this was another poor goal to concede, not just in terms of the build-up. - Wythenshawe cariving Runcorn open through the middle - but also its timing.

Despite their attacking, limits, Linnets were poised to take away a point.

Once behind, they never looked like hitting back with the manager being unhappy with the lack of reaction to the setback.

With games coming typically thick and fast in early season, there is no time to dwell.

But all concerned will be reflecting on how to improve the offering ahead of Tuesday's visit to Padiham because in the words of the manager himself: "That is just not good enough."

Runcorn Linnets: Calvin Hare, Ollie Southern, Matty Rain, Peter Wylie, Toby Jones, Jacques Welsh, Elliot Morris, Jay Harris, Nick Rushton (Harry McGee, 57 mins), Matty Whittingham (Frank Denison, 72 mins), Noah Roberts (Lewis Bell, 57 mins). Sub (not used): Brendan O'Brien.

Attendance: 523.

When push comes to shove - Joshua Dickin takes a hands-on approach to deal with Linnets frontman Nick Rushton. Picture by Neil Thornton