RUNCORN Linnets lost 3-2 at home to Chasetown in a game, which had been in the balance, tipped in favour of the visitors with a hotly-disputed goal, Dave Bettley writes.

Chasetown's 77th-minute winner by Kieran Fenton was allowed to stand, despite Runcorn claims for offside earlier in the move.

It had seen Bayleigh Passant produce a stunning double save only to be beaten at the third attempt.

Runcorn protests led to referee Andy Sykes, consulting with one of his assistants before pointing to the middle.

Linnets arguably deserved something from the game.

But two lapses in quick succession early in the second half, Chasetown's greater attacking strength and the controversial decider left Linnets empty handed.

Runcorn's selection issues had been dealt another punishing pre-match blow with Adam Morgan, the last established man standing in an injury-ravaged attack, being ruled out by illness.

But on the plus side, Blackpool youngster Jaden Jones resumed loan duty in midfield.

Will Saxon, who normally plays out wide or just off the front, adopted the role of emergency striker.

His endeavours were justly rewarded with a second-half goal, which levelled it at 2-2.

Even so, Runcorn lacked the threat of an outright centre forward to hold up play and trouble the visiting defence in the air.

Chasetown started strongly with Passant soon being called into action, saving at close quarters a Fenton shot resulting from a free-kick.

But Runcorn settled to grow into the contest.

Courtesy of through balls by Sam Barratt and Luke Wall, respectively, Saxon twice found promising positions on their right.

While his cross from the first opportunity was intercepted, he connected on the half volley with the second - forcing a last-gasp tipover by 'keeper Curtis Pond from an effort which was dipping under the crossbar.

Chasetown were still edging the game territorially but the home defence at this stage looked to have the measure of their attack.

Runcorn were to receive a helping hand in taking a half-time lead when under no apparent danger, Chasetown's Joe Dunne controlled a cross from the left by his opposite number James Short with an arm.

The penalty awarded without hesitation by the referee or complaint from the Staffordshire side was confidently dispatched in the 37th minute by Naim Arsan for his first Linnets goal.

Chasetown started the second half as briskly as they had the first and were back on terms within three minutes as Runcorn allowed their guard to drop after two consecutive clean-sheet displays.

Linnets had conceded only once in their four outings but were caught out by a cross from the right by Oli Hayward with which Dunne connected perfectly.

He had ghosted in unchallenged on the far side to atone for giving away the spot-kick.

Linnets had still to recover their composure and focus when, two minutes later, Chasetown struck again.

Runcorn were exposed by an attack on the Chasetown left, which culminated in Lewi Burnside scoring to suddenly turn the match on its head.

The second half became an arm wrestle - literally at times - with Chasetown centre forward, experienced former Hednesford Town player-manager Danny Glover using everything in his power to unsettle Runcorn's defence.

But Linnets spiritedly found a way back on the hour, Saxon latching into a stray Chasetown pass out of defence by Mitchell Clarke to run through, wrongfooting the 'keeper with a curling low shot into the right corner.

It wasn't enough ultimately to spare Linnets' defeat but Fenton's winner was all the more contentious since it had stemmed from a 'soft' free-kick awarded to Chasetown midway inside the Runcorn half.

There were two significant substitutions late in the game with Under 21s striker Lewis Crane, 17, coming on for his senior Runcorn debut and Chasetown's Joe Thompson making an APEC Taxis Stadium return after featuring for Linnets at the back end last season's play-off push.

But neither had chance to make any great impact.

Arsan came close to restoring parity with a free-kick, which veered the wrong side of the right upright.

But Runcorn's search for consistent home success continues.

They will get another chance next Saturday when Kidsgrove Athletic are the visitors, again in Pitching In Northern Premier League West.

Runcorn Linnets: Bayleigh Passant, Sam Barratt, James Short, Lewis Doyle (Lewis Nolan, 72 mins), Peter Wylie, Harvey Washington, Will Saxon (Eden Gumbs, 81 mins), Jacques Welsh, Jaden Jones (Lewis Crane, 82 mins), Luke Wall, Naim Arsan. Subs (not used): Alex Ellams (GK), Karl Clair.

Attendance: 520.