Fifth shutout in six matches for determined Linnets
Peter Wylie celebrates his rare goal as team-mates rush to acclaim him. Picture by Ben Jackson
Runcorn Linnets 2 Wythenshawe Town 0
Report by Dave Bettley
It wasn't spectacular but with results at both ends of the table becoming ever more crucial as the season winds towards a close, promotion-chasing Linnets turned in a solid performance to leave the visitors deep in relegation trouble.
A goal in each half improved the best home points return in Pitching In Northern Premier League West while keeping Linnets on course for play-off spot.
Their fate could well hinge on three remaining APEC Taxis Stadium outings, all against teams also vying to go up.
A win in the first of these next Saturday against leaders Bury, who third-placed Linnets trail by five points, would propel Michael Ellison's side back into serious title contention.
Avro in second - a point adrift with a game in hand - remain the biggest threat to the Shakers.
Stalybridge Celtic (lying fourth) and Bootle (seventh) are also still to visit APEC Taxis Stadium.
Lewis Doyle gets to work on r3aching a double century of Linnets appearances. Picture by Neil Thornton
The last two games have seen Runcorn avoid potential banana skins against teams in the drop zone.
They must again beware slip-ups in their last three away fixtures - all against bottom-eight sides.
These include third-from-bottom Trafford, who have won three of their last four.
But Runcorn can draw on experience with their management and coaching team plus five of the squad having won the title last season.
Among them is the player, who lifted the trophy as Widnes captain.
Steve Irwin's industry and fitness were impressive in Saturday's fifth shutout in six.
Harry McGee (left) and Peter Wylie look on as James Steele threatens in the air. Picture by Neil Thornton
His reading of the game was also impeccable.
Runcorn's back four were in control but whenever assistance was required, the 35-year-old provided it.
Linnets named an unchanged XI for a third successive game, a luxury at this level.
The contest followed a similar pattern to the previous week's 3-0 win at Darlaston.
But Wythenshawe, having been left stranded at the foot of the table in midweek, were more resilient in defence and posed a greater threat going forward.
Again, however, Yusuf Mersin had only routine saves to make while opposite number Jake Parrsisson pulled off some excellent stops to keep the score down.
A close call for Linnets top scorer Scott Bakkor. Picture by Neil Thornton
Town's deputy 'keeper found himself promoted when Keir Barry was injured in the warm-up.
He was tested in the first minute but equal to Naim Arsan's well-struck shot from a Dec McLoughlin cross to the left of the area.
The Runcorn offensive brought them half a dozen corners in the first 15 minutes.
Having opened his goal account for the season a week earlier, Jacques Welsh was within inches of connecting with one of them.
The visitors had a couple of half-chances with Demi Rhami's low shot from distance always going wide of the left upright.
The same player had another effort from the edge of the penalty box.
Naim Arsan fires home Runcorn's second goal for his 10th of the season. Picture by Neil Thornton
But Welsh got a boot to the ball, which ballooned safely into the outstretched arms of Mersin.
On his 200th Linnets appearance, Lewis Doyle must have thought he had found a breakthrough.
The midfielder, only the seventh Linnets player to reach the double century, forced himself into a shooting position on the left edge of the six-yard box only to see his attempt snuffed out.
Ryan Brooke - himself three games short of the same landmark - saw a header well saved by Parrsisson.
The hosts were therefore made to wait until the 39th minute for pressure to tell - with a goal from a most unlikely source.
If Jacques Welsh's goal at Darlaston was rare - an eighth in 189th Linnets outings for the now club captain - Saturday's opener was even more of a collector's item, although very similar.
Naim celebrates his goal. Picture by Ben Jackson
This time, Welsh's centre-back partner Peter Wylie met a Matty Rain corner from the right to head home at the far post - only the sixth time the deputy skipper has troubled the scorers in 244 attempts.
Runcorn needed the security of a second goal and got it in the 58th minute.
Sean Miller, who had been introduced a minute earlier, found Joe Ferguson advancing at speed.
Referee Thomas Swift allowed an advantage as the flying right back was fouled.
Momentum was only slightly affected with Ferguson crossing for Ryan Brooke to skim a header into the path of Arsan.
An excellent finish into the top-right corner took the winger, lying second to 20-goal Scott Bakkor in the Linnets scoring stakes, into double figures for the season.
Peter Wylie (right) gets a hug from Ryan Brooke after opening the scoring. Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley
The effort helped to keep Wythenshawe at arm's length if not at the more comfortable distance Runcorn would have preferred on the balance of play as Bakkor's strike was kept out.
Wealth Dasilva came off the bench to give Wythenshawe a genuine centre-forward option but Ferguson, Welsh and man-of-the match Irwin were defiant in thwarting the Manchester side's efforts to find a route back.
Runcorn Linnets: Yusuf Mersin, Joe Ferguson, Matty Rain, Jacques Welsh, Peter Wylie, Steven Irwin, Naim Arsan (Noah Roberts, 82 mins), Lewis Doyle, Scott Bakkor (Harry McGee, 75 mins), Dec McLoughlin (Sean Miller, 56 mins), Ryan Brooke (James Steele, 75 mins). Sub (not used): Markell Foulds.
Attendance: 505.
Lewis Doyle receives a memento marking his 200th appearance from chairman Peter Cartledge. Picture by Peter Gallagher-Headley