Late goals put a dent in Town’s title quest
PADIHAM ................................................... 2 RUNCORN TOWN ...................................... 2 UNCORN TOWN’S bid for the Hallmark Security League Premier Division crown suffered a blow on Saturday as they allowed a twogoal lead to slip late on at Padiham and had to settle for a point.
The visitors, without leading scorer Craig Cairns along with defenders Liam Hollett and Marcus James, began the contest well enjoying plenty of possession playing up the slope at the YESSS Electrical Arena.
Joe Holt suffered a series a late tackles that earned Runcorn numerous freekicks but the fouling went unpunished by match referee Chris Porter.
Then, when Holt went down in the penalty area he was shown a yellow card for simulation.
Soon after, another foul on Holt resulted in free-kick that Isaac Kusaloka fired straight at Padiham keeper Michael Donlon.
Holt was in fine form for Runcorn causing Padiham major problems with his use of the ball.
Runcorn took the lead in the 18th minute. A long ball from defender Joe Heath found Holt who played Kusaloka in. Goalkeeper Donlon was quickly off his line to block the shot but the ball fell to Kevin Exell who fired it into the unguarded net.
Padiham responded and a corner posed problems for Runcorn’s rearguard before the ball was eventually cleared away.
A clear push on Exell in the penalty area was waved away by the referee. As the ball rolled into the path of Holt his shot was just inches wide of the upright.
Padiham forward Aaron Taylor had a header blocked in the six-yard box. When his follow-up shot rebounded, the ball fell to teammate Garry Hunter who blasted it wide.
As the half drew to a close, another foul on Holt once more led to a free-kick for Town. This time, Phil Marsh fired an effort straight at goalkeeper Donlon.
Runcorn had a great opportunity to increase their lead early in the second period. A ball over the top of the Padiham defence found Kusaloka whose lob looked destined for the net until Donlon
R● produced a superb backward dive to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Donlon injured himself with the save but recovered after treatment and was able to continue.
Runcorn increased their lead in the 56th minute. A crossfield pass from Marsh found Joe Kearns in space on the righ. His perfectly-weighted ball sent Holt clear to lift it over Donlon.
A long-range effort from Padiham captain Martin Parkes was well held by Louie Mackin who made the save look easy but it was a superb strike.
A free-kick from Holt was saved by Donlon who cleared upfield to Kieron Pickup who hit the outside of an upright.
Pickup then hit a powerful shot that Mackin did well to cover. Padiham were constantly attacking at this stage of the game.
Runcorn were being forced to defend and Mark McGregor was outstanding at the centre of their defence.
With 83 minutes on the clock, a high ball into the Runcorn area was not cleared and Padiham’s James Dean with his back to goal hooked the ball home.
Padiham were attacking now and two minutes from time they drew level, substitute Jake Townsend volleying home from 15 yards.
Runcorn had a late opportunity to snatch a dramatic winner when Simon Thelwell hit a fierce volley inches over the target from the narrowest of angles.
Padiham were not finished, though, with Dean a constant threat up front creating an opening for his team that was not taken.
In four minutes of stoppage-time both sides went for the winner but in the end a draw proved to be a fair result on the final whistle.
With leaders Bootle easily seeing off Cammell Laird 1907, it means Town are now in fourth place and four points behind the pacesetters although they do have one game in hand.