Runcorn go again as thriller ends all-square
RUNCORN TOWN ...................................... 3 GUISBOROUGH TOWN............................. 3 ● his shot beyond keeper Adam Reid into the far top corner of the net for a welltaken equaliser.
Lawson was unable to run off the injury and was substituted by Brandon Holdsworth.
Runcorn responded perfectly to Guisborough’s equaliser and regained the lead in the 36th minute.
Jennings created space for himself before hitting a goalbound shot that Cox deflected into the opposite corner of the net giving Beeforth no chance to save.
And just six minutes later, Runcorn increased their lead when following some excellent play by Menagh, Cox delivered to fire the winger’s cross home.
A quality save by Beeforth in added on time denied Weaver whose shot was heading for the bottom corner before the diving keeper tipped the ball around an upright.
With the high wind now at their backs, Guisborough started the second half strongly.
An early free-kick was crossed dangerously in to the Runcorn six-yard box but no-one could take advantage of the loose ball.
Another chance for the visitors came when Hulme’s header was well held by Reid on his goalline.
Runcorn responded and a fierce volley from Weaver was just inches over the crossbar. Shortly after, the dangerous Menagh crossed the ball from wide on the left touchline, but Weaver’s headed attempt cleared the crossbar.
Reid produced a couple of excellent saves to deny the visitors but the Priorymen got a goal back in the 55th minute.
A high ball into the Runcorn goal area was headed clear by Shaw, with Reid behind him set ready to claim it.
The result was then pinball inside the box with the Runcorn defence unable to clear and Guisborough full-back Brad Mills was on hand to stab the loose ball home to make it 3-2.
In a now rare Runcorn attack, Harry Brazel had a shot partly saved by Beeforth. As Jennings prepared to turn and strike the ball home, he slipped allowing Matthew Lovatt time to hack the ball to safety.
When Guisborough broke upfield, a great pass from substitute Steven Roberts put Holdsworth in, but his shot was just wide of the target.
John Seaton then fired over the crossbar as the pressure began to build on the Runcorn rearguard.
This pressure told when Guisborough finally equalised in the 77th minute.
The leveller came via a superb run and finish by Mills, his shot from 18 yards finding the bottom corner of the net.
Soon after, a tremendous volley from Roberts hit the underside of the Runcorn crossbar before being cleared by Matty Waters as Guisborough threatened to go ahead in the cup-tie.
It was backs to the wall stuff by the Runcorn defence as time began to run out.
Thelwell led by example when pushed forward, and he saw a header well saved by Beeforth.
As time ticked near 90 minutes, Runcorn started to force the pace with Menagh a constant threat to the visitors.
Waters hit a powerful shot inches over the crossbar as gaps began to appear in the visitors’ defence but the referee whistled an end to normal time sending the match into an additional 30 minutes.
There was not a lot of goalmouth action during the opening 15 minutes as both teams understandably tired.
Runcorn almost nudged in front again when from Menagh’s cross, Cox headed the ball against an upright with Beeforth beaten.
A shot from Shaw was partly blocked and Paul McManus following up fired wide of the target.
From a corner on the left, Leon Wright laid the ball off to Marcus James who had his shot charged down with Runcorn appealing in hope for a penalty which was not given.
Especially in the second period of extra-time Runcorn looked the stronger team, even playing against the wind.
McManus played Thelwell clear but the Runcorn captain, with the goal at his mercy, blasted the ball wildly over the crossbar.
A low drive from Menagh was heading for the bottom corner of the net and brought a diving save out of Beeforth.
The final chance of the game fell to Guisborough who were awarded a freekick just outside the penalty area.
The Runcorn defensive wall did its job, however, and the ball was headed clear as the referee Nik Storey blew for a replay at Guisborough which was set to take place yesterday evening.