Newcastle Town 0 Runcorn Linnets 1
Report by Dave Bettley
Linnets' interim management team took good care of clinching the victory, which was needed so badly after the tumult of boss Antony Kay's midweek departure.
Linnets wanted to get back on track after the costly home defeat by Stafford Rangers and did so in the unusual setting of the football velodrome that is Red Industries Stadium in Newcastle Under Lyme.
Ryan Brooke and Karl Clair - two of the playing trio in temporary charge while a successor for Kay is found - were scorer and provider of the winning goal, respectively.
Brooke is edging ever closer to becoming the club's all-time top scorer after the 69th goal of his Linnets career. He remains fourth on the list but not far away from the record of 76 set by Mark Houghton.
Clair and Brooke were supported from the touchline by injured club skipper James Short but it felt like all connected to Linnets, on and off the field, contributed to this show of unity which earned three precious points.
Full back Sam Barratt was on their bench in his home county to say final farewells before jetting off to work in Qatar.
Linnets climbed one place to eighth as a result of the win.
A heavy pitch limited scoring chances and the match had seemed destined to end goalless until Brooke's spectacular strike midway through the second half.
Clair lifted the ball over a couple of defenders for Runcorn's talisman to instinctively rifle a left-foot volley from the left of the box.
It sailed over Castle's 'keeper Joe Slinn and into the far corner.
Determined Linnets had made their intentions clear from the start, adapting to the conditions in getting the ball forward quickly - with Adam Moseley's mobility a key part of the strategy.
He had plenty of ground to cover on the expansive playing area, surrounded by a cycle track.
It was Moseley’s backheel which set up the clearest opening of the first half for left back Naim Arsan, who whipped his shot wide of far post.
Defences were on top with Peter Wylie and Callum Grogan this time the central partnership of choice for Runcorn. Grogan played on the front foot, attacking the ball in the air, while Wylie demonstrated his positional sense to avert danger on the floor.
Harvey Washington returned from suspension to fill the right back slot, vacated by Wylie. The youngster made some important interceptions with head and feet.
The defence was well protected by skipper Jacques Welsh, immediately in front of them, with Clair and Lewis Doyle pulling out the stops elsewhere in midfield.
They, along with attackers Moseley and Luke Wall, put in a lot of running and were certainly feeling it towards the end with Clair being forced off with cramp.
Aided by a series of free-kicks, Newcastle had upped the pressure after half-time with strong-running full back Isaac Godwin getting forward on the left in support of ball carrier Ty Webster - but without delivering suitable balls into the box.
Their clearest opportunities came from two successive Jack Sherratt corners from the same side, soon after Linnets had gone in front.
Bayleigh Passant was alert to the danger from home captain Tommy Van Der Laan's 10-yard header from the first, tipping it away from under his bar, and the retake was nodded over by Jack Derbyshire from point-blank range.
With the deadlock having been unexpectedly broken in the 65th minute, the hosts seemed to run out of steam - Runcorn coping with the threat from Neil Baker's team, which had won so impressively at APEC Taxis Stadium earlier in the season.
Eighteen minutes from time, Jack Grundy replaced fellow central defender Washington, one of three Runcorn players booked to Castle's one, at right back.
Under 21s midfielder Jorge Dwyer, in his first senior Linnets outing since the end of October, and striker Przemek Staniszewski were introduced late on to provide fresh legs on a surface, which had taken its toll on both sets of players.
Runcorn finished the game on the offensive with Dwyer and Staniszewski almost fashioning a chance for Moseley before the striker lost possession in a challenge inside the box.
The final whistle sounded almost immediately.
The caretaker management team will again be in command for Tuesday’s home match against Wythenshawe Town (ko 7.45pm).
Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Peter Wylie, Naim Arsan, Karl Clair (Jorge Dwyer, 86 mins), Harvey Washington (Jack Grundy, 72 mins), Callum Grogan, Adam Moseley, Jacques Welsh, Ryan Brooke (Przemek Staniszewski 90+1 mins), Lewis Doyle, Luke Wall. Subs (not used): Lewis Nolan, Jaden Jones.
Attendance: 257.
Dean Adekoya has been recalled by Stoke City from his short-term loan while his brother Leslie has also left the club.
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