Widnes 1 Runcorn Linnets 1
Report by Dave Bettley with pictures from Kelly Jones (above) and Peter Cantwell
Linnets' second draw of the Pitching In Northern Premier League West season against leaders Widnes was even more commendable as they came from behind to claim their point.
Only two minutes separated the goals, either side of the half hour, as Jack McGowan's deadlock-breaker was cancelled out by Naim Arsan.
That the points were shared was fair enough with both sides having enjoyed spells of domination, hit the woodwork and created chances to have won. The two goalkeepers pulled off some fine saves.
Widnes pushed hard for a late winner but over-anxiety cost them as efforts missed the target, most of them by a distance.
Linnets boss Antony Kay made changes, as expected, after the 0-4 home defeat by Witton Albion on New Year's Day.
Bayleigh Passant returned in goal after loan 'keeper Tom Myles's recall by Manchester United.
Jack Grundy replaced Harvey Washington in central defence, Peter Wylie moving to right back in the absence of injured Sam Barratt.
Eden Gumbs came in at left back, although wearing the No.9 shirt, to allow Arsan to take up a more advanced role. The move would bring the Welshman his fourth Runcorn goal from 15 appearances.
Adam Moseley was preferred to Ryan Brooke as the central striker while the inclusion in midfield of Jaden Jones saw Jacques Welsh relegated to the bench, along with Brooke and Washington.
Runcorn had started well without doing anything startling.
But in the 10th minute an Arsan corner from the left, which he had won himself, was desperately clawed away by 'keeper Mark Halstead as it threatened to go straight in at the near post.
A good 15 minutes of sustained Widnes pressure saw them test Runcorn's defence to the limit.
Former Linnet James Steele was claiming a penalty after a challenge by Gumbs on the right but referee Kieran Chell waved away the appeals, perhaps concluding that the striker had been looking for a foul.
Centre back Louis Isherwood sent a header from a corner against the top of the bar but Runcorn had been hanging on and their resistance was broken in the 29th minute.
Steele's header from a superb right-wing cross by Widnes playmaker Sean Miller was splendidly saved by Passant.
However, the 'keeper had no hope with the rebound shot by Jack McGowan, scorer of both goals when the Whites won last season's corresponding fixture 2-0.
Linnets found the perfect response, levelling in the 31st minute after a moment of magic from Luke Wall.
Hemmed in by Widnes's left corner flag, he somehow turned and ghosted past his marker to come away with the ball before unleashing - from an unlikely scoring position - a surprise shot, which rebounded off the crossbar.
The opportunity looked to have passed when Lewis Doyle's follow-up strike was blocked but Runcorn kept the ball alive and Doyle's lofted pass found Arsan, who had advanced into the area, to drill the ball past Halstead for the equaliser.
The goal lifted Linnets, play evening up again.
Five minutes from half-time, they might have gone in front when the industrious Karl Clair burst through the middle with a clear run on goal, after pinching possession on halfway.
However, Halstead stood his ground to keep out the midfielder's effort from the edge of the box
Widnes continued to pose danger. McGowan's crossfield pass, in front of the Runcorn 18-yard line, picked out team-mate Sharif Deans, whose left-foot shot was well held by Passant low at his right post.
Runcorn got on top after half-time, within 10 minutes of the restart fashioning two more golden chances to go in front. Moseley was the player foiled on both occasions.
Firstly, after a long run towards goal, the Linnets No.7 delayed his shot a fraction too long, allowing Halstead to keep it out.
Moseley's luck was out again when Jaden Jones flicked the ball into his path in another Linnets raid.
The Widnes 'keeper charged down the striker's initial effort - the second attempt cannoning off the right post before Halstead eventually smothered at Moseley's feet in a scramble.
Widnes sent on Tom Peterson, their new frontline signing in the 57th minute. The former Bootle man's first involvement brought him a yellow card for a late challenge on Karl Clair.
It had officially become a full-blooded derby with Clair requiring a change of shirt because of the resulting spillage.
Four players in all were cautioned for fouls - including Runcorn's Doyle and Grogan, although the game was for the most part played in the right spirit.
As Widnes worked up another head of steam, Deans cut in from the left for a shot, which was deflected on its way to Passant, who gathered safely.
The 'keeper rescued Linnets again, reacting well after Miller's well-timed pass had set up McGowan for another clear strike on goal.
Entrering the last 20 minutes, Runcorn switched formation with Wylie and then sub Washington joining Grundy and the particularly impressive Grogan in a central defensive three.
This was in response to tactical changes made by Widnes boss Michael Ellison - a playing favourite and then title-winning manager in Runcorn days - in his eagerness to turn one point into three.
He was increasingly agitated as a succession of efforts on goal went high or wide.
The hosts could have grabbed victory in the closing seconds but Peterson snatched at a cross-cum-shot by home skipper Steven Irwin, diverting it harmlessly wide.
A Widnes winner would have been cruel on Runcorn, who had deserved something from the game.
They would have taken the draw before kick-off and with Nantwich Town, Stalybridge Celtic and Chasetown above them all losing, this will be viewed even more by the eighth-placed Linnets as a point gained. The play-offs remain a realistic target.
Weather permitting, they will return to home action this Tuesday against Stafford Rangers, whose visit has already been postponed once due to the elements.
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Peter Wylie, Naim Arsan, Karl Clair, Callum Grogan, Jack Grundy, Adam Moseley, Jaden Jones (Harvey Washington 79 mins), Eden Gumbs (Ryan Brooke, 71 mins), Lewis Doyle (Jacques Welsh, 83 mins), Luke Wall (Lewis Nolan, 83 mins). Sub (not used): Lewis Crane.
Attendance: 633.
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