RUNCORN TOWN’S quest for Wembley glory in the FA Vase remains on track after they successfully negotiated a tricky tie at fellow North West Counties League Premier Division outfit Glossop North End on Saturday.
And they had to do it the hard way by overturning a one-goal advantage the Derbyshire hosts had taken in the match.
Jason Gorton’s strike after 15 minutes was all that separated the teams until Town’s Scott Burton levelled just after the hour.
And team-mate James McShane netted what proved to be the winner 20 minutes from time to book Runcorn a place in the competition’s fourth round.
In the Blue Square Bet League’s Premier Division, Southport returned to winning ways with a narrow 2-1 success against Alfreton Town.
Liam Watson’s men found themselves a goal down after 63 minutes when Town’s Adam Quinn headed home a centre from Josh Law.
However, Southport levelled on 71 minutes when Kurtis Guthrie’s 25-yard shot took a deflection off Quinn on its way into the Alfreton net.
And barely 60 seconds later, Tony Gray fired in what proved to be the match-winner from a pass supplied by Andy Owens.
Port remain third, just three points behind leaders Wrexham whom they meet tomorrow night in North Wales.
In the Blue Square Bet League’s North Division, Vauxhall Motors saw three points turn into one as they drew at home to Histon.
Tom Hannigan’s goal on 83 minutes looked to have won the game for Motors, but Daniel Sparkes earned a draw for the visitors netting an equaliser two minutes from time.
Vauxhall are 17th in the division with 19 points from 20 matches played thus far.
Burscough’s hopes of moving away from the wrong end of the Evo-Stik League’s Northern Premier Division were once more dashed as they lost a six-goal feast at home to Rushall Olympic.
The Linnets went ahead via a Paul Williams goal after a quarter-of-an-hour but Rushall levelled right on half-time through Louis Keenan.
Burscough restored their one-goal lead early in the second period when Phil Quirk scored.
However, the visitors then took charge and equalised again on 64 minutes via a Sean Platt penalty.
Team-mate Jonathan Haynes then netted a go-ahead goal for Rushall on 71 minutes and they secured the victory shortly after with an Alan Wilkes strike.
The West Lancashire side remain rooted to the foot of the table with 12 points from 22 matches.
In contrast, things could not be more rosy for Chester FC.
They lead the division with 48 points from 21 matches, their latest maximum haul coming at the expense of Worksop Town.
The visitors were duly defeated 2-0, Michael Powell scoring in each half for Chester.
Elsewhere, sixth-placed Marine secured a welcome win at Mickleover Sports, striker Neil Harvey’s goal 15 minutes from time earning all three points for Kevin Lynch’s side.
In the Evo-Stik League’s First Division North, Skelmersdale United were unable to halt their winless streak as they went down 2-1 at Woodley Sports.
Tommy Lawson’s men are now without a victory in six matches.
Jordan Stephen’s goal on 15 minutes gave Sports the lead before Shaun Tuck levelled for Skem from the penalty spot just before the half-hour.
But John Marsden’s effort on 71 minutes condemned second-placed Skem to defeat.
Meanwhile, bottom side Cammell Laird were out of luck on their trip to Clitheroe as they lost out 5-1. Ashley Parillon hit a second-half treble for the Lancashire team with teammates Jack Higgins and Lee Pugh also on target. Jack McGowan claimed Laird’s consolation goal.
The Cheshire club remain stuck on eight points from 21 matches.
The games between Bamber Bridge and Warrington and Prescot Cables and Mossley were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
Bootle’s mission to win the North West Counties League’s Premier Division is still looking good as they completed a fine 4-0 win at home to Silsden.
The Bucks’ goals came via Neil Prince just before the break and efforts from Jamie Hay, Darren Byers and Danny O’Connor in the second-half. Chris O’Brien’s team remain joint-top with Ramsbottom United on 46 points although their rivals have two games in hand.
At the other end of the division, AFC Liverpool found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline at Stone Dominoes.
AFC, second-bottom with 13 points from 22 matches, were hit via efforts from Mike Marron, Wayne Teague, Ashley Miller and Steve Allen.
Elsewhere, mid-table Runcorn Linnets earned a 1-0 victory at Winsford United thanks to a Matthew Atherton goal early in the second-half.
St Helens Town’s match at Padiham was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch as was Formby’s First Division Trophy second round tie at Nelson.
