Runcorn Linnets 0 Clitheroe 1

Kieran Feeney made it the perfect 10 as his first goal for the Blues ended the long wait for a win and lifted Clitheroe back onto the fringes of the play-off race.

Feeney’s 78th-minute header capped an impressive performance from one of Phil Brown’s new recruits.

His combination with Preston loanee Tyrhys Dolan hinted at good things to come as the teenage tear-aways gave the Blues a cutting edge.

And a goal from the former Wolves and Barnsley youngster in just his second start finally gave Brown’s men a first win in 10 attempts and first since New Year’s Day as they breathed new life into their campaign.

Runcorn had lost just twice in the league since November as they mounted a belated play-off push.

And they threatened to take an early lead in a bright start which saw Ben Wharton go close with an effort well saved by Chris Thompson, who tipped his dipping effort over the bar at full stretch.

The Blues – giving a first start to forward Danny Wilkins following his return to the club – had to ride out a spell of pressure and repel a flurry of corners, Ollie Muir heading one effort off the line and out off the underside of the bar.

But having contained the Linnets’ best efforts, Clitheroe then dominated the remainder of the half as the central midfield pairing of Craig Carney and skipper Charlie Russell drove their side forward.

Dolan and Feeney linked well with the pace of the Blues on the break causing Runcorn all sorts of problems.

Both had sights of goal but Linnets’ keeper Craig Ellison kept the hosts on level terms with a couple of smart stops before the break, the best a one-handed effort to keep out Dolan’s top-corner bound strike.

Clitheroe couldn’t maintain their grip after the re-start but again stood firm at the back to restrict Runcorn to a couple of long-range efforts, Liam Caddick lifting their best shooting chance over the top.

And as the game began to get stretched, the Blues’ ability to break again got them into some promising positions.

Dolan and Cummings both forced corners with their elusive running and from the second, Feeney rose at the near post to glance an excellent header across goal and into the far corner.

Runcorn’s response saw Ryan Gibson head over and then volley just too high with virtually the last kick.

But with the Blues refusing to buckle and securing a second clean sheet in four days, Brown’s men had done enough to secure a deserved – and welcome – win as they moved above Runcorn into sixth place in the table.

Runcorn: Ellison; Aley, Brown (Lycett 25), Wylie, Hinnigan; Lindfield, Hamid (Donaldson 55), Holt (Hayes 8), Caddick; Wharton, Gibson. Substitutes: Corrigan, Kurt, Donaldson.

Clitheroe: Thompson; Gregory, Stanley, Foulds, Muir; Carney, Russell (O’Neil 55); Cummings (Gray 82), Dolan (Scott 90), Wilkins; Feeney. SubstituteWood.

Referee: Matthew Young