AFTER taking a step forward in midweek, 1874 Northwich fell.

However it was a tumble by Runcorn Town attacker Stuart McDonald that caused controversy and, ultimately, decided the game’s outcome.

There was no dispute that he was fouled by recovering defender Jack Pritchard, who was wrong-footed by a bouncing ball.

The visitors claimed contact between the duo occurred outside the penalty area but referee Lewis Raper awarded a spot-kick after conferring with a linesman.

Paul McManus’ conversion attempt was successful, and it completed his side’s recovery after they had fallen behind in the first-half.

Goalkeeper Adam Reid had prevented 1874 from taking the lead earlier, producing his best to deny Scott McGowan.

However he could do nothing to prevent Danny Thomas turning in Joe Woolley’s cross after the latter traded passes with Taylor Kennerley from a rehearsed corner routine.

Reid had to intervene again when McGowan tried to double the away team’s lead, and he thwarted Mark Jones too.

At the other end, Ryan Cox glanced wide a header from Jamie Menagh’s free-kick.

It was a catalyst for the hosts’ best spell, and they drew level when former Witton Albion defender John Shaw was left unmarked to meet a McManus corner with his head.

It was then the turn of Northwich custodian James Coates to impress with a one-handed save to divert Shaun Weaver’s volley to safety.

Wayne Goodison and Paul Bowyer, the visitors’ management duo, sent on Callum Gardner and Josh Winthrop early in the second-half.

However it was Taylor Kennerley who conjured 1874’s next chance following a run up the left wing, serving McGowan who scooped over.

Cox’s shot on the turn was diverted into Menagh’s path, but he fired wide.

Gardner then cut inside from the right during a Northwich raid, and his effort struck the side-netting.

Reid reacted instinctively to stop his next attempt before McGowan sent the rebound off-target.

The contest’s defining moment followed, condemning 1874 to a fourth defeat of the season in the North West Counties League’s top-flight.

Runcorn | Reid (GK), Turner, Carberry, Shaw, James, McManus, Menagh, Weaver, Thelwell, Cox (Wainwright 85), McDonald (Wright 85) Subs not used Herbert, McGregor, France Goals Shaw 33, McManus 77 (penalty) Booked Thelwell

1874 | Coates (GK), Tucker, Russell, Pritchard, Thomas, Jones, Joe Woolley (Gardner 55), Matthew Woolley (Winthrop 55), McGowan, Freakes (Waite-Jackson 80), Kennerley Subs not used Connor, Meadowcroft Goal Thomas 16

Referee Lewis Raper

Attendance 214

Match report by Garry Clarke