Scott is scorer and saviour as Linnets take point

Witton Albion 1 Runcorn Linnets 1

It's all about Bakkor - his second spot-kick of the season made it seven goals in six games for the all-action striker. Pictures by Neil Thornton.

Report by Dave Bettley

After raising hopes of a first Northern Premier League West win at U Lock It Stadium with his penalty opener before the half hour, Linnets top scorer Scott Bakkor was a hero at the other end late on as Brad Cooke's side escaped with a hard-earned point.

The striker, having scored his seventh goal

in six matches since joining Runcorn in the summer, retreated towards his own goal to assist 'keeper Bayleigh Passant by making a stupendous double goalline block.

Bakkor cleared the ball off the line from Witton substitute Joe Duckworth, whose chipped effort had been half stopped by the backtracking Passant but was spinning towards the net.

The in-form frontman followed up for good measure by also saving a rebound effort from Joe Edwards to earn Runcorn a draw after defeat in three previous league visits to their former home ground at Wincham.

Clockwise from top left, Ryan Brooke and Naim Arsan provide reinforcement off the bench; left back Matty Rain floats a cross into the middle; Eden Gumbs powers forward on his first campaign start. Pictures by Ben Jackson.

Linnets will be disappointed not to have built on a 28th-minute lead established by Bakkor with a nonchalant spot-kick after he'd been tripped from behind by Josh Langley while running away from goal.

The frontman, brimming with early-season confidence, clipped the ball into the centre of goal for his second penalty of the campaign as former Widnes No.1 Cameron Terry dived helplessly to his right.

Neither side had really threatened up to that point, although Runcorn had dominated territory and looked very well drilled in open play.

A set-piece again proved their Achilles heel.

Albion's equaliser in the 41st was their first serious attempt of the afternoon and conceded by the visitors from a corner in similar fashion to the goal they had let in three days earlier in victory over Trafford.

Again Passant and his defence only half dealt with the flagkick from the right.

Witton won the second ball to set up skipper Langley to reach for a header at the right post.

The second half saw Albion carry the greater goal threat as Linnets struggled to create genuine chances.

The hosts exerted good pressure up to the hour mark and again towards the end but ultimately the energy-sapping conditions were the only winner as the heat sapped the energy from both sides.

Markell Foulds made his first start in Linnets colours but in central midfield, rather than his recognised position at the heart of defence.

Clockwise from top left: Markell Foulds and Scott Bakkor double up in the thick of the action; Marcus Cusani helps Linnets go forward; Declan McLoughlin in industrious mood in midfield. Pictures by Neil Thornton.

He performed very solidly as did the as always energetic Eden Gumbs, likewise named in the XI after appearin in the first five matches off the bench.

Still unbeaten in six league and cup outings, Runcorn will be pleased enough, if not entirely satisfied, with the result.

Of their five absentees last time out, only Peter Wylie had been available this time and he had to settle for a spot on the bench.

The draw was an improvement on previous returns, including the 4-0 reversal in the same Bank Holiday fixture 12 months ago.

At 1-0, the game had been there for the taking but they let subdued former landlords Witton back off the hook.

Right back Joe Ferguson was nevertheless outstanding for the visitors, his power and athleticism averting the danger from No.3 Aaron Fleming, who was Witton's outlet on the left. Typically, he also contributed to Linnets going forward but crosses by Marcus Cusani on the right and Matty Rain from the left didn't quite bear fruit.

Nevertheless, eight points from 12 see Linnets fifth in the table with at least one game in hand on the teams above them.

The top two, Lower Breck and Stafford Rangers play each other in Anfield next Saturday in one of only three fixtures to see out August.

The Emirates FA Cup dominates the weekend programme with Linnets resuming Wembley duties with the all-ticket clash at West Didsbury & Chorlton.

Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain, Markell Foulds, Adam Rooney, Harvey Washington, Marcus Cusani, Lewis Doyle (Naim Arsan, 58 mins), Scott Bakkor, Dec McLoughlin, Eden Gumbs (Ryan Brooke, 66 mins). Subs (not used): Lewis Crane, Jorge Dwyer, Peter Wylie.

Attendance: 643.

Runcorn's players wore black armbands in honour of George Passant, grandad of Linnets 'keeper Bayleigh, who passed away on Friday while Linnets were taking on Trafford in their first match of the holiday weekend. A minute's applause before kick off had had been arranged in memory of Denis Conneely, a long-serving club volunteer at Witton Albion. Picture by BEN JACKSON