Glossop NE.............................1

Runcorn Linnets...................1

A determined rearguard action, spurred by a sense of injustice, helped nine-man Runcorn Linnets secure an unlikely point at Surrey Street on Saturday.

They were helped by the home side’s disjointed performance but was the sense of injustice correct?

Possibly. There was little doubt about Ellis’ 50th minute dismissal for a second yellow card, as he left David Morris in agony after a challenge – which the players’ reactions signified was a bad one.

Bain’s red five minutes later was perhaps more of a surprise, as from certain angles it looked simply late, and there was no ‘handbags’ after it.

However, the referee indicated that he felt that Bain had challenged high with his studs showing, and Morris’ bleeding shin certainly indicated as much.

Nevertheless, even when the game was 11 against 11, Glossop ought to have changed the direction of the game early on, but missed numerous chances to score with new signing Garry Kharas watching from the stands.

Hurst headed wide in the first minute before shooting weakly from Bailey’s pass a minute later.

Kay had a long shot saved and Young’s shot was stopped at the near post, while Elliott nearly broke the deadlock with a curling corner that was headed off the line.

Although Runcorn were under pressure, they broke forward from Elliott’s effort and saw Yates slip when trying to cut out Atherton’s pass to Ellis.

His loss of footing meant he was unable to intercept the ball, nor block Ellis’ shot from the edge of the area which unerringly found its target.

Glossop wasted more chances, Bailey putting a free header wide, although Elliott was unlucky when Priestley tipped his lob onto the bar and snaffled the rebound.

The misses demoralised the Hillmen and Runcorn ended the half stronger with Balasz hooking over and a low cross just eluding Sherlock.

Early in the second half, Hamilton’s low cross was just in front of Hurst before that mad five minutes with the two dismissals.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the decisions, Runcorn manager Steve Wilkes’ actions were a disgrace, swapping technical areas to lambast Morris, who had done nothing wrong.

With a two-man advantage, North End were expected to go on to win, despite the deficit, but became frustrated by a number of factors.

Priestley made one of the saves of the season with his instinctive save low to his left-hand side to keep out Hamilton’s header.

Then, after Adam Oakes had swept home McNally’s path for a 67th minute leveller, the linesman denied Hamilton, flagging for offside as he turned in Hurst’s cross, despite looking as though he was behind the ball when it was crossed.

Bailey had a looping shot pushed over by Priestley, Hurst headed wide and Gorton fired wide as North End got desperate.

They were so desperate in fact that McNally was booked for diving deep into injury time, as he rounded the keeper going away from goal. Had that been given, the angry Runcorn fans would have blown their tops.

Attendance: 236

Jonathan Haggart

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