Under 21s take victory over Steven Gerrard Academy in their stride

Jay Lee sets up Eneil Gumbs to score his maiden goal for the Under 21s....

Steven Gerrard Academy 1 Runcorn Linnets Under 21s 4

Match pictures by Kelly Jones

Runcorn Linnets Under 21s men took another significant step towards promotion from North West Under 21s Development League.

...and Linnets' new midfielder does the rest in convincing style.

In winning at basement battlers Steven Gerrard Academy, third-placed Linnets reduced their deficit on open-dated Championship Division B leaders Nantwich Town U21s to six points with five games still in hand.

Runcorn remain just a point adrift of second-placed Northwich Victoria, who overcame hosts Warrington Rylands 2-1. Linnets have played three games fewer than Vics.

The biggest threat to the Yellow & Greens might come from the side in fourth, Kidsgrove Athletic.

Like Linnets four days earlier, fellow Divisional Cup finalists Grove received a walkover win through Huyton being unable to fulfill a fixture.

Kidsgrove are still level on points with Linnets, having played a match more.

The top-finishiing team will be promoted to the Premier Division with the runners-up having chance to go up via a Play-off against the second-placed team in Championship Division A.

Linnets didn't have things all their own way, Gerrard Academy having the better opportunities of a goalless first 25 minutes.

Two-goal Zack Parker raises his arms in celebration at scoring.

The early play prompted changes from Linnets boss Ste Ellams to tackle lack of quality in the final third.

Fresh from his Player of the Month award, Runcorn goalkeeper Alex Ellams pulled off a superb save to keep his side on level terms before first-half substitute Eneil Gumbs scored his first goal for the 21s after great work from skipper Jay Lee.

Finishing the half strongly, Linnets probably deserved their 1-0 advantage.

But interval instructions were to increase the tempo and get the ball wide quicker.

'Keeper Ellams had to produce another great stop, however - his team-mates again capitalising with a well-worked goal, Zack Parker finishing the move.

Lew Crane lines up his penalty as Asnafi Shamari makes sure the striker is shooting the right way...the goal he's aiming for is to the left if shot!

Lew Crane then won and dispatched a penalty for his 24th goal of the season, allowing Runcorn to rest some key players for the remainder.

...and Macauley Clifton is first to congratulate Linnets' top scorer on his success from the spot.

As visiting players settled into new positions, the Liverpool hosts made it 3-1.

However, Man of the Match Parker promptly notched his second to seal victory.

Linnets created several chances to further extend the lead but the winning margin was convincing enough.

Runcorn entertain fifth-placed UDA Soccer Royals on Sunday in a noon kick-off before taking on mid-table Vulcan, also at APEC Taxis Stadium, on Wednesday, April 16th (ko 7.45pm).

Midfield duo Asnafi Shamari and Billy McNay put Steven Gerrard Academy under pressure.