Runcorn Town 1 Barnoldswick Town 0

BARNOLDSWICK Town missed the chance to secure their place in the North West League Premier Division as they slid to a narrow defeat.

Shaun Airey and John Beckwith, who featured in the dramatic win at Bootle, were replaced by James Crorken and Kieron Lee.

The first chance of the match fell to Runcorn's Kristian Bell who blazed wildly over the bar from James McShane's pass.

Mark Threlfall and Thomas Henderson combined to set up Town's first chance. Martin Broderick picked up the ball 25 yards out and stung goalkeeper Daniel Lever's hands with a ferocious shot.

Town continued to press and a minute later a Kieron Lee cross to the far post saw Crorken inches away from turning it in.

Town keeper Scott Reid had to make a smart save from a Bell shot after 20 minutes.

There was also a let off when Chris Ridehalgh was caught out while trying to see the ball out for a throw-in and Bell broke free and he shot into the side netting

Town finished the first half in the ascendency, Henderson and Broderick combining to set up Mark Threlfall for a shot which skimmed the bar.

The first chance of the second half was set up by Ridehalgh losing the ball in a dangerous position to Sam Houghton, but Jake McEneaney made a great tackle to relieve the situation.

Just after the hour mark a mistake in the Runcorn defence let Crorken in but he delayed his shot when Threlfall and Henderson were well placed in the six yard area.

There was also a great chance for Town after 71 minutes. Henderson robbed Lever on the right of his penalty area and lobbed the ball towards the goal where a Runcorn defender managed to get his head on the ball and deflect it for a corner. Two minutes later Threlfall played the ball to Henderson who beat the Runcorn full back before forcing Lever to save

The Town bubble was burst in the 75th minute. A quick break down the Town left saw the ball crossed to the edge of the area, where full back Ross Davies caught the ball sweetly curling it into the net.

Town pressed for an equaliser but it was Runcorn who came the nearest to scoring two minutes into injury time when Shanley shot wide.

With St Helens and Bacup both winning Town realised they no longer could influence their own destiny.