Runcorn are gunning FOUR top spot after sparkling comeback victory over leaders

Runcorn Linnets 4 Lower Breck 2

Report by Dave Bettley

Joy on the faces of Linnets' scorers (clockwise from top left) Isaac Graham, Harry McGee, Scott Bakkor and Sean Miller. Pictures by Peter Gallagher-Headley and Ben Jackson.

A terrific second-half performance saw Linnets come from behind to upstage the NPL West table toppers.

Runcorn became the first team to put four past Lower Breck this season and only the second to beat the Anfield outfit on their league travels.

In so doing, the Yellow & Greens climbed two places to second, broke the 50-point barrier and moved to within three of the vanquished visitors.

What many must have perceived as an enforced half-time change turned out to be a tactical masterstroke by the Linnets boss.

Michael Ellison, unhappy with his team's first-half showing, had made the brave decision to withdraw kingpin Adam Rooney from an already depleted backline.

Bringing on Naim Arsan at left back and moving the versatile Peter Wylie inside to partner midfield specialist Jacques Welsh in central defence was designed to provide a better balance.

The game was certainly transformed after the break as Linnets overturned a 2-1 interval deficit for an impresuve and ultimately comfortable victory.

A couple of surprises awaited Runcorn fans on arrival at APEC Taxis Stadium.

New signing Eliot Rokka was in the ranks - the former Witton Albion and Stalybridge frontman coming on for a late cameo - while a familiar face was back between the sticks.

Bayleigh Passant, who had recently lost his place in the Linnets' side and played at the weekend for North West Counties League strugglers City of Liverpool on dual registration, was restored to the line-up.

Yusuf Mersin had been recalled from his loan spell by Hyde United upon former Atherton Collieries boss Michael Clegg's appointment as manager.

There was again a makeshift look to Runcorn's defence in their biggest test of the league campaign.

Breck, who had dropped only five points in 12 away games, punished them with two goals in four minutes towards the half-hour mark.

The strikes were separated by a superb opportunist equaliser from Scott Bakkor.

Lower Breck's 25th-minute opener came from the spot with Jacques Welsh having been overpowered by centre forward Lewis Buckley as he pursued a ball on the right flank.

Passant was drawn towards the ball in an attempt to halt his progress but did so illegally, upending the Runcornian striker.

Sam Burns, a tricky customer for Runcorn to deal with, sent the 'keeper the wrong way with his penalty.

Skipper Jacques Welsh again switched from midfield to defence for the visit of the leaders. Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley.

It was a hammer blow for Ellison's side but they were back on terms within two minutes, thanks to a stunning strike from Bakkor.

From a Lower Breck throw-in on their left, Bakkor's diligence in closing down a defender in possession was rewarded as his 20-yard snapshot found the bottom left corner.

The Liverpool outfit promptly restored their lead from an elusive move on the left of the box. Runcorn felt unable to make a challenge for fear of conceding another spot-kick.

The ball into the box couldn't be dealt with either as Breck's fleet of foot kept it alive for Buckley to fire into the roof of the net.

But If questions were being asked at the halfway point about Runcorn's ability to get back into the contest, they were answered emphatically with three goals without further reply.

McGee put Runcorn back on terms in the 51st minute by pouncing for his second goal in as many games. This one was against the club, whose colours he was wearing until three days into the New Year.

Lewis Doyle's left-wing corner had been touched on at the near post and then headed down into the scorer's path by Isaac Graham - his league debut for Linnets would become even more memorable.

Eleven minutes later, Runcorn were ahead as Sean Miller conjured something special out of nothing.

He got away a shot when there had seemed little or no room for manoeuvre.

On seeing the effort beat Theo Roberts to the goalkeeper's left, a sudden adrenalin rush had the jubilant Miller running along the touchline to the dugouts before leaping into his manager's arms.

Runcorn secured victory 12 minutes from time. Another Miller incursion into the left of the area had been blocked.

But when the ball waa played back to Arsan, the substitute left back's cross was met by a stooping header by midfielder Graham, which veered inside the left post.

It was a first Linnets goal for the player, recruited earlier this month from Mossley. and a fitting way to complete the Runcorn recovery.

Lower Breck attempted a fightback of their own in the time remaining but Linnets had by now shut up shop, holding firm on the edge of their box as they had throughout the second 45 minutes.

This limited the away side to a couple of long-range shots in the half - one by Buckley, forcing Passant to tip over, and the other from skipper Connor Millington's free-kick clearing the bar by some distance.

The visitors will have been rocked by their second league defeat in four days - as many losses as they had suffered in their previous 25 matches.

Runcorn will carry a four-match unbeaten NPL run - three wins andva draw - under the recently-appointed Ellison into Saturday's home fixture with Nantwich Town (ko 3pm).

Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Joe Ferguson, Peter Wylie, Adam Rooney (Naim Arsan, 46 mins), Jacques Welsh, Lewis Doyle (Steven Irwin, 75 mins), Harry McGee (Elliot Rokka, 83 mins), Isaac Graham, Scott Bakkor, Sean Miller. Subs (not used): Lewis Crane, Dec McLoughlin.

Attendance: 652.

That winning feeling! Scott Bakkor and James Steele savour the moment. Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley.