Runcorn pay price for conceding a minute after break
Matty Rain's equaliser - his second goal in as many games - was in vain.
Clitheroe 2 Runcorn Linnets 1
Report by Dave Bettley
Linnets came off second best from a hard-fought but uninspiring contest in the Ribble Valley as receding title hopes were dealt another blow.
It was a game they needed to win after leaders Bury's 3-0 victory at fellow contenders Lower Breck had left the Shakers eight points clear of Linnets.
Always knowing their task would not be easy against an in-form Clitheroe side, Linnets not only failed to reduce the deficit but also dropped a place to fourth in the Pitching In Northern Premier League standings.
Linnets scarcely got a look-in in the first 30 minutes of a contest, which was littered with stoppages for fouls.
But when the visitors equalised on 34 minutes with their first effort on goal, the finish to the first half suggested they could go on to win with the slope in their favour after the break.
However, within seconds of the restart, Clitheroe were back in front. Runcorn had been caught cold.
Despite having the better of the second half, particularly once their Lancastrian opponents had been reduced - belatedly - to 10 men, Runcorn couldn't find the quality to breach Clitheoe's defences again.
Clitheroe started much the brighter and went ahead in the 12th minute.
Josh Briggs, their right wing back, found himself clear of Runcorn's rearguard to slide the ball home from a long ball by Danny Wilkins.
It was their second big opportunity of the game, the first having fallen a minute earlier to Lewis Trickett, who couldn't keep his shot down.
Luke Gill's pull back from close to the deadball line in the left of Runcorn's area had found his team-mate in a good position.
Runcorn struggled for a foothold and to comply with manager Michael Ellison's frequent calls for them to get up the pitch.
Clitheroe were quicker in and out of possession and on the rare occasions Linnets broke into home territory, they were caught offside.
In the 27th minute, Runcorn saw the first of two big decisions go against them as Scott Bakkor took an elbow to the face.
Runcorn were convinced that it had been a red card offence.
Skipper Jacques Welsh received a yellow for letting referee Adewunmi Soneye know.
Clitheroe centre back Cameron Lancaster eventually received his punishment. But it was only a caution and Bakkor was the man to leave the field with a head wound.
It looked as though boss Ellison had already been planning an early substitution, just as he had in victory the previous Saturday at Shifnal Town.
But instead of Naim Arsan, who had been going through an extensive warm-up, Ryan Brooke was introduced in place of stricken top scorer Bakkor with 28 minutes played.
Having hardly threatened, Linnets were level within six minutes after Matty Rain had returned a half-cleared corner high into the Clitheroe box.
Markell Foulds won the header, leading to a goalmouth scramble.
While it was going on, Rain made up ground into the area to get in a shot. It was on target but went over the line off a Blues defender.
Rain has now scored in two successive games from the left wing back position.
With Linnets hungry for more, Dec McLoughlin found James Steele, back from a two-game absence, inside the Clitheroe box on Runcorn's left.
But Steele was dispossessed by Anwar Murtesa's tackle.
With the slope in Runcorn's favour in the second half and the away side no longer facing into the sun, there was every reason to believe that the momentum was with them.
But within 30 seconds of the restart - the crowd still being updated about Arsan's entry to the game in place of Rain - Clitheroe were back in front.
Harry Scarborough fired in a shot from the right beyond 'keeper Yusuf Mersin and inside the left post.
Having it all to do again, Runcorn went on to dominate the second half, as Clitheroe had the first.
In the 50th minute, there was further controversy when home defender Murtesa handled just inside his own half.
With Steele about to run clear, Linnets felt the yellow card which followed was lenient.
But the referee must have concluded the offence had been committed too far out to warrant a red card for denying a clear goal opportunity.
Steele was soon foiled by a save from Zac Hadi, one of two giant goalkeepers on show, after Brooke had released his fellow frontman with a quickly-taken free-kick.
The effort came in from a difficult angle on the right.
Soon after Clitheroe's Sakouba Sanogo had penalty claims for a foul summarily dismissed by Mr Soneye, Runcorn came closest to a second equaliser.
Steele was bundled over about 23 yards from goal.
But McLoughlin's right-footed free-kick came back off the left post with 'keeper Hadi beaten.
Jacques Welsh, again part of a three-man Runcorn defence, made an important interception to avert the threat of a third Clitheroe goal. But Linnets were now creating the better chances.
From Brooke's headed knockdown to an Arsan cross, McLoughlin laid the ball into the path of substitute Doyle, whose attempt was blocked by a defender.
Linnets' latest signing, Noah Roberts was introduced for his debut after joining from Marine on the eve of the game.
The young winger showed a quick pair of heels to the Clitheroe defence - inducing a cynical challenge by Murtesa, who was shown a second yellow with 13 minutes left on the clock.
With Clitheroe's only ambition now being to preserve their advantage, Runcorn threw everything at the hosts.
But Steele attempt to win a penalty close to goal only earned him a booking for simulation. Mr Soneye's decision was vindicated by a video replay of the incident.
Runcorn needed to produce a clear opportunity but when it finally came in stoppage time, Hadi pulled off a full-length save to deny Brooke, who in a frantic finish also had a backheeled effort blocked in front of the goal line.
In his post-match interview, Linnets manager Ellison was clearly angry that Lancaster had escaped disnissal for the elbow on Bakkor - while conceding both sides had suffered from refereeing decisions.
He was also furious, however, at the nature of the two goals his team had conceded and the lack of desire in the performance.
Runcorn Linnets: Yusuf Mersin, Joe Ferguson (Noah Roberts, 73 mins), Matty Rain (Naim Arsan, 46 mins) Peter Wylie, Harvey Washington, Jacques Welsh, Steve Irwin (Lewis Doyle, 63 mins), Markell Foulds (Elliot Rokka, 85 mins), Scott Bakkor (Ryan Brooke, 28 mins), Declan McLoughlin, James Steele.
Attendance: 804.