Runcorn Town 3 Barnoldswick Town 2

ZACK Dale netted netted Barnoldswick Town's 600th goal since joining the North West Counties League but it wasn't enough to save them from defeat against the Premier Division title chasers.

His strike put Barlick 2-1 up, but Runcorn hit back with two second-half goals to take the points.

Goalkeeper Jordan Gidley, who has returned to the club after spells with Bootle and Charnock Richard, was beaten after just five minutes.

Mark Reed headed Michael Carberry's cross into the path of Craig Cairns who scored from close range.

Barnoldswick took a while to find their feet on a heavy pitch which cut up badly, but they equalised after 31 minutes.

Good play down the left by Aaron Hollindrake resulted in Matthew Cavanagh turning his cross home.

Within a minute, Barnoldswick had taken the lead. Dale spotted Terry McCormick off his line and lobbed the ball over the stranded keeper from 30 yards.

The quick two-goal blast had clearly unsettled their hosts but Gidley had to produce a superb diving one handed save to keep out a fine Reed shot.

The home side had another good opportunity immediately after the break but Cairns hammered the ball high over the crossbar.

Barlick almost extended their lead when Harry Thompson fired in a low shot from a free kick which home keeper Terry McCormick had to save at full length.

The promotion-chasing Runcorn side got the equaliser in the 55th minute following some good play by Aidan Roxburgh, Craig Jones and McManus. who combined for Mark Reed to fire the ball home.

Barnoldswick countered and it took a perfectly timed last-ditch tackle by Michael Johnson to prevent what would have been a certain goal.

Runcorn snatched the winning goal in the 74th minute. Barlick blocked a number of shots in a massed goalmouth scramble before conceding a corner.

The flag kick found Roxburgh at the far post and he rolled the ball to Cairns who made no mistake.

Reed played lashed lashed a shot over the crossbar and Cairns hit a fierce volley inches over the bar from 20 yards.

When Reed hit the foot of the upright the ball rebounded on to Gidley and out for another corner.

Barlick never gave up the fight and forced a late corner which resulted in McCormick smothering the loose ball.