Unlucky Linnets are denied at the death

Ryan Brooke (front right) enjoys his opener with team-mate Scott Bakkor (left) and (back) Joe Ferguson and HarveyWashington. Picture by BEN JACKSON.

Runcorn Linnets 1 Ashton United 1

Report by Dave Bettley

Runcorn were on the verge of making club history in the Emirates FA Cup when higher-division Ashton pulled themselves back from the brink.

Into the fifth and final scheduled minute of stoppage time, Jason Gilchrist struck to dramatically force a replay at Hurst Cross.

It was desperately cruel on Linnets.

The visitors had belatedly laid seige to the home goal but resilient Runcorn looked like holding on for a maiden appearance in the Fourth Round Qualifying - until the pressure became just too much.

With centre back pairing Adam Rooney and Harvey Washington outstanding, Runcorn had withstood everything that Ashton could muster in a thrilling climax to the tie.

Runcorn Linnets' defence was breached at rhe end of their fifth FA Cup game of the season. Picture by KELLY JONES

But the Robins finally cracked open a Runcorn rearguard defence, which hadn't conceded over 450 minutes in this season's competition.

Gilchrist found a pocket of space in a busy Runcorn area to slot home in the scramble created by a long throw-in from visiting assistant manager Sean Newton.

Gilchrist's effort from the right corrner of the six-yard box whistled low inside the left post.

Robins fans might argue the draw was just in the belief that Ryan Brooke's 45th-minute Linnets opener should have been ruled offside.

But Runcorn were devastated at the result, after being the better side over the 90 minutes.

The second half saw Brad Cooke's men press the accelerator in search of a second goal.

They were so unfortunate when top scorer Scott Bakkor struck the visitors' bar from the best move of the match.

After a spell of patient possession football, central defender Adam Rooney had opened up play with a searching long ball into the right corner.

Joe Ferguson wins an arm wrestle to shield the ball out of play for a goal kick. Picture by KELLY JONES

It was hounded down by Joe Ferguson, Bakkor eventually connecting tight-footed with the full-back's cross from the edge of the box - only to see the ball rattle the underside of the bar.

Midway through the half, with Linnets still on top, Washington and Rooney saw goalbound efforts blocked from the same free-kick as the hosts battled to tighten their grip.

But Runcorn have experienced last-gasp heartbreak before in the Third Round Qualifying.

In 2022, they were denied a replay against National League North side Gateshead, Brooke's last-gasp leveller at APEC Taxis Stadium being controversially adjudged offside.

Valiant Linnets lost that game 3-2.

At least this time, they get a second chance and on the strength of this performance, they must believe that the cause is far from lost.

Linnets had been cast in the same role as their hosts for the last three rounds as they enrertained a team from the division above.

It's comfortable for Linnets' 'keeper Harvey Bardsley until he is finally beaten in stoppage time. Picture by KELLY JONES.

But there was no gulf between the teams and with 'keeper Harvey Bardsley being untested until the last ten minutes, Linnets should consider themselves desperately unfortunate not to have won.

Runcorn could have gone in front a little sooner than they did.

Peter Wylie must have thougt he had put the them ahead in the 42nd minute after Washington had set him up in winning the initial header from a Dec McLoughlin set-piece.

But the Linnets' vice-captain Wylie's effort, another header, forced a fine save from Ashton's goalkeeper Jordan Eastham.

The breakthrough the home side had been threatening promptly followed, on the stroke of half-time.

Bakkor connected with Ferguson through a clever reverse pass on the right only for McLoughlin to miscue with his shot from the resulting cross.

Joy as Linnets go ahead before the interval. Picture by KELLY JONES.

Brooke, however, was onto it like a flash to turn the ball home.

He had appeared to be in an offside position but there was no flag from the assistant to his right.

Despite having openings, Ashton posed little danger to the Runcorn goal.

A shot early in the piece by Daniel Ogwuru, making his debut on loan from Morecambe, was a rare effort on target before the game's fateful denouement.

It lacked conviction and was safely snaffled by Bardsley, who has impressed since his temporary move from Blackpool.

With Linnets so close to victory, skipper Jacques Welsh had to clear from beneath his own bar.

Eastham stayed in Runcorn territory after venturing forward to contest a corner. The hosts almost sprung a counter attack, which would surely have left the Ashton 'keeper stranded when his defenders were likewise fully committed to attack.

Defender Peter Wylie, acting as a holding midfielder, fires the ball across from the right of the penalty area in the second half. Picture by NEIL THORNTON.

Still penned in, Welsh (although clearly struggling with an injury), had to intervene again, this time intercepting a Luca Navarro shot just in front of goal.

Bardsley then got down smartly to save a header by veteran Tom Denton. The giant substitute's physical presence had unsettled Runcorn's back line and Gilchrist pounced to give Ashton another opportunity.

Runcorn Linnets: Harvey Bardsley, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain, Peter Wylie, Adam Rooney, Harvey Washington, Declan McLoughlin, Jacques Welsh, Ryan Brooke (Marcus Cusani, 83 mins), Naim Arsan. Subs (not used): Alex Ellams (GK), Harvey Rosenblatt, Lewis Doyle, Lewis Crane.

Attendance: 651.

The draw for the Fourth Round Qualifying will take place on Monday, September 29th.

It will be made live on talkSPORT's Hawksbee and Jacobs Show from around 2pm BST.

Three of the matchday mascots from Runcorn Linnets Barca Under 11s, coached by Rob Gibbons, dream of playing in the famous competition in the future. Picture by BOBBY HANCOX