AS they had been in their previous meeting with Runcorn in the FA Vase, Blues were well-beaten at the weekend.

Trailing at the break to a Kevin Exell goal, Winsford conceded again when Craig Cairns converted a penalty before Nathan Cotterell replied.

Another spot kick, this time from Joe Holt, restored the hosts’ two-goal lead before Matthew Woodward added a fourth in added time.

Exell finished smartly from Holt’s cross before Winsford skipper Kyle Riley forced a save from Runcorn goalkeeper Louie Mackin as they pressed for an equaliser.

Cairns claimed his 11th goal of the campaign in emphatic fashion following Danny Kerr’s clumsy foul on Simon Thelwell.

Cotterell halved the visitors’ arrears when his shot outside the area squirmed out of Mackin’s grasp.

A second penalty followed after sub James Dean challenged Exell, sent past custodian Michael Langley by Holt.

Woodward then scored from close range to make it 4-1 after Blues failed to clear a corner.

Runcorn | Mackin (GK), Woodward, Heath, McGregor, Jarrett, Rodgers, Holt, Exell (James 84), Thelwell (Maguire 80), Cairns (Forbes 61), Doran Subs not used O'Loughlin (GK), Woods Goals Excel 21, Cairns 53 (penalty), Holt 78 (penalty), Woodward 90

Winsford | Langley (GK), Stott, Ward, Rothwell, Duckworth, Kerr, Taylor (Wady 83), Brazel, Riley (Johnson 78), Cotterell, Collins (Dean 58) Sub not used Osborne (GK) Goal Cotterell 62 Booked Brazel

Referee Sam Mulhall

Attendance 92