Defence goes missing in second successive home defeat
Theo Papadopoulos had put Linnets 3-1 up after 46 minutes but it all fell apart for the hosts in defence. File picture by Kelly Jones.
Runcorn Linnets Under 21s 3
Nantwich Town Under 21s 4
Report by Dave Bettley
Linnets U21s suffered back-to-back defeat for only the second time this season after letting slip a two-goal advantage against mid-table Nantwich.
Second-placed Linnets now trail Warrington Town by nine points with three games to play.
Warrington therefore need one point from their last two games to avoid the highly-unlikely scenario of Runcorn pipping them on countback - Linnets having done the double over the table toppers.
Even then, it would require another miracle as Stalybridge Celtic, in third, are only seven points behind Linnets with five games in hand.
They also have the leaders in their sights, despite an exhausting end-of-season schedule.
Sunday's game was always going to be a test of character for Linnets, a midweek home loss to FC United of Manchester having badly damaged their title prospects.
On falling behind midway through the first half, the task became even more challenging.
But after rallying to lead 3-1 a minute after the interval, the hosts were sitting pretty.
Their defence, however, went AWOL as Nantwich scored three comeback goals to avenge 5-3 defeat by Linnets on the opening day.
The Dabbers had gone ahead in the 21st minute with a Jaicub Burkert shot from the right of the penalty area.
George Huyton got a hand on it but was unable to keep the effort out.
Both 'keepers had by then made good saves and it needed another by Huyton to deny the visitors a headed second from a corner.
Just when Nantwich were threatening to tighten their grip, Runcorn struck back in the 33rd minute.
Ben Crane, playing at centre forward in the absence of injured namesake Lewis, equalised in the 33rd minute.
He slotted home the rebound from a tight angle on the right after his initial effort had been saved.
Runcorn went in front four minutes from the break.
A delicate through ball by skipper Jay Lee, back from suspension, to Joel Street was intercepted by Nantwich.
However, Street made no mistake from the ensuing corner - nodding home Crane's kick from the left at the near post.
The second half was less than a minute old when Street set up left wing-back Theo Papadopoulos for a shot, which he drilled inside the near post.
An apparent deflection off a defender hadn't altered its course.
Linnets must have thought a handsome win was on the cards as for a spell their Cheshire rivals were penned in.
But Runcorn inexplicably dropped their guard - poor defending leaving a clear route back into the game for the Dabbers.
Arrears were halved in the 63rd minute when a ball over the top glanced off a Runcorn head.
It dropped for Jayden Jones, who therefore didn't have to worry about offside when racing clear to beat Huyton for the first of his brace.
Crane was then denied by an outstanding top-corner save by Nantwich 'keeper Jacob Garrett after trying his luck from 23 yards.
The visitors took full advantage by levelling in the 74th minute.
Runcorn's defence was again found wanting as a cross from the left was turned home by Jones.
As they attempted to regain control, Linnets were left a man short on 82 minutes.
In trying to get a shot away, Eneil Gumbs connected with a visiting defender.
The referee deemed this worthy of a second caution, resulting in a red card for the midfielder.
Despite the setback, a determined run by right wing back Callum Prince forged another Runcorn chance.
But Street's attempt on goal was blocked and as play swung swiftly to the other end, Nantwich snatched what would prove the winner in the 85th minute with substitute Hamza Farooq squeezing home his shot.
Linnets' 10 men tried to salvage something in the little time remaining. But Charlie Ratcliffe's header at a free-kick was diverted for a corner.
Huyton kept the home side in the hunt with another good save as both sides kept at it until the end on a heavy pitch.
Lee might have equalised with the last kick of the match from another set-piece but he couldn't get a clean connection with the goal at his mercy.
Linnets must now lift themselves for another home game on Wednesday against UDA Soccer Cestrians (ko 7.30pm).
There is still work to be done even to secure a probable third place.
Runcorn Linnets Under 21s: George Huyton, Callum Prince, Theo Papadopoulos (Sam Hamling), Cameron Schofield (Billy McNay), Jay Lee, Ben Dobbie (Charlie Ratcliffe), Tom Beswick, Zack Kopanski (Macauley Clifton), Joel Street, Eneil Gumbs, Ben Crane. Subs (not used): Alex Ellams ( GK).
Ben Crane equalised for Runcorn in the first half. File picture by Kelly Jones.