Runcorn Linnets 1 Pontefract Collieries 2
Report by Dave Bettley with pictures from Kelly Jones
Runcorn exited a national cup competition for the second time in three weeks when losing at home in the Isuzu FA Trophy preliminary round to a fellow Step 4 side from east of the Pennines.
Linnets played well in the first half, especially considering dire selection issues had left their on-field resources increasingly stretched.
They went into the break leading thanks to a debut goal from Lewis Nolan, the fourth player to have been drafted in from a professional club in the first month of a season in which Runcorn's squad has been decimated by injuries and suspension.
Young midfielder Nolan,
signed from Crewe Alexandra, saw a shot from outside the area, after a Linnets short-corner move from the left, being deflected past the Pontefract 'keeper.
The hosts could and should have led by more with central defender Harvey Washington unable to keep down two headed opportunities close to goal.
The second of these hit the top of the bar.
Having been dominant, Linnets found themselves being dominated in the second half.
Pontefract pressure eventually told in the last 10 minutes as they scored twice to dranatically turn the tie around.
Runcorn had earlier in the half been given a let-off when Jack Boyle ballooned a penalty over their bar after Peter Wylie had brought down substitute Mikey Dunn at the far, left post.
The goal had, as they say, been coming with Louie Chorlton causing havoc for the Runcorn rearguard with runs and crosses on the visitors' right.
Linnets weren't helped in the 76th minute when Jaden Jones, having been cautioned nine minutes earlier for shirt pulling, talked himself into a second yellow.
This followed a scything foul on Nolan for which no punishment was given other than the free-kick.
The wave of Pontefract attacks had been stemmed by desperate defending from Linnets centre halves Sam Carr and particularly Washington deep inside their own area.
Striker Ryan Brooke lent a hand as Linnets became starved of field
position in opposition territory.
With 10 minutes left, Pontefract centre forward Kieran Ceesay romped through to equalise after springing the offside trap.
Then, two minutes from the end of normal time, Boyle made amends for his missed spot-kick by firing home the winner.
His smart shot from outside the box gave 'keeper Tom Myles, diving to his right, no chance. With a depleted team down to 10, Runcorn couldn't find a response.
Linnets fans will point to inconsistent officiating throughout the game of contrasting halves.
It's a bitter blow to have been eliminated from the Trophy at the first attempt, so soon after their premature exit from the FA Cup.
Only in his worst nightmares could Antony Kay have predicted the start to his managerial career being so difficult in terms of player availability and results.
He was without his entire first-choice midfield for this game with attacking and defensive options also missing.
Runcorn, with just one league win to show for their efforts so far, must dust themselves down and go again on Wednesday when travelling to Avro for their delayed NPL West game in Oldham.
This will involve another head count for the beleaguered boss but he should at least have midfielders Jacques Welsh and Karl Clair back from suspension.
Runcorn Linnets: Myles, Wylie, Gumbs, Nolan, Washington, Carr, Hooper, Jones, Bowen (Moseley, 57 mins), Brooke, Wall. Subs (notbused): Passant (GK), Barratt, Ledward, Elverstone.
Attendance: 449.
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