BARNOLDSWICK Town bounced back in impressive fashion from their minor midweek blip, as they annihilated Runcorn Town 5-1 at the Silentnight Stadium.

They had won four Hallmark Security League Premier Division games in a row, but were beaten 3-2 last Tuesday by title challengers City of Liverpool.

Town showed no signs of a hangover after that defeat though, as they put the visitors to the sword on Saturday.

After a slow start, they won a 14th minute penalty, and the free-scoring Jack Coop coolly sent the keeper the wrong way.

Matt Barnes' side doubled their advantage five minutes later. A corner was only half-cleared and after Andrew Hill sent a cross back in, captain James Crorken powered a header home.

Two brilliant Zack Dale chances, one of which was cleared off the line, sandwiched Runcorn's only goal of the day. Ryan Cox netted for the visitors after some sloppy defending.

Prolific forward Dale forced a good save from Runcorn's stopper Adam Reid but Barnoldswick did manage to grab a crucial third just before the interval.

Mark Threlfall pressured the defence into a mistake and the ball ran to young Chester loanee Rhian Hellawell, who chipped the ball home.

Dale was a constant menace in the second half too, and his excellent work down the right saw him square the ball to Threlfall to make it four.

Reid made a stunning save from Dale's header but the forward eventually got his name on the scoresheet minutes later, blocking an attempted clearance before threading a fine strike into the far corner.

Runcorn's miserable afternoon was complete when Stuart McDonald was sent off for a second bookable offence with five minutes left.

Town's win moves them into fifth and they will expect to win on Saturday too when they host rock-bottom Ashton Athletic.