Runcorn flattered by a Rebel beating treble

Slough's generosity in front of goal allowed Runcorn to escape with scoreline that totally flattered them, on Saturday. Having created chance after chance, the Rebels succumbed to three lethal strikes from a Linnets side that did little else.

Canal Street is not a place where teams often pick up points, the ramshackle ground by the side of a bleak and grey Mersey was totally unwelcoming. But Slough came out looking for nothing but three points and their failure to find the net until late on proved fatal.

Starting the same as against Kidderminster the week before, Slough found themselves pushed back in the early stages of the game. Steve Thompson, retaining his forward role, got in behind the home defence and Junior Wilson fired over the cross.

Runcorn had a good spell when they held the midfield, but couldn't break down the Rebels defence and did little in the way of threatening. Having soaked up much pressure, the Rebels suddenly found room to move forward and create in front of goal.

Tommy Langley had a fine volley rebound off the post and John Carroll had his work cut out when clearing a succession of corners in which Mark Mallinson did some excellent far post attacking.

Gary Donnellan and Tony Dell were both booked during the first half as Slough began to dominate the midfield. Thompson, Wilson and Langley all found plenty of room to move up front against a suspect Linnets defence and Langley poked a glorious chance just wide of the post when Carroll's back pass underpressure fell short of keeper Williams.

The Rebels were the far more positive going forward and had more ideas, but were just not clinical enough with the final ball in front of goal.

Totally against the run of play, Runcorn's Shaughnessy found room in the box to turn and thunder home a powerful shot for the lead.

Langley brought a good save out of Williams in response but as half time arrived it was Runcorn who almost scored again when Edwards low drive hit the inside of the post, rolled across the face of goal and was cleared.

The second half began with Runcorn more dominant in defence and looking better for it, with the Rebels struggling to break down the rearguard.

On 56 minutes it was two after an excellent move. The highly impressive flanker, Peter Withers, roasted Phil Stacey and delivered a wicked far post cross that picked out Ian Harold to tap home.

This inspired Slough to push forward and again, with Thompson having another inevitably outstanding game, the home defence was stretched.

Gary Donnellan failed to make the most of the header with the goal at his mercy, though keeper Williams was guilty of an over the top challenge. Next a Thompson cross was cleared off the line, Stacey's low shot could have gone home but Darren Anderson failed to connect from close range.

The Rebels were taking apart their hosts and a low through ball was taken off Langley's foot at the last moment with the keeper committed. Jon Sissons came on to replace Langley and Slough continued to find space.

But for all the chances the Rebels created, they should have had more to show and Runcorn's rare forrays upfront were more decisive and dangerous.

Jon Hunt replaced Gary Donnellan who pulled a hamstring, and put in some dangerous crosses.

With six minutes remaining, Anderson nipped through the defence only to be upended and the referee pointed to the spot. Thompson drilled the ball home and the Rebels pushed for a desperate equaliser.

Leaving themselves open at the back, Bunting had to pull off a fine save from Steve Saunders who was clean through. As Slough pushed forward and had Runcorn living on the edge of their wits, they couldn't carve out that golden opportunity and after four minutes of baffling injury time, Slough were caught cold when Saunders blasted home for 3-1.