1874 NORTHWICH have not beaten Runcorn Linnets in four attempts.

Michael White has scored against them in three of those meetings, and his penalty proved decisive on Saturday after Danny Thomas pulled back Freddie Potter.

The defender was sent off, the same fate as Paul Connor during a midweek draw with Winsford, and the home team kept alive their promotion hopes thanks to White’s composure.

1874 had led at the interval.

The teams traded early chances – goalkeeper Greg Hall tipping over Franny Smith’s drive from distance, while Matthew Beadle fired wide on the turn – before the visitors broke through on 18 minutes.

Neil Chappell claimed it, firing past former Witton Albion custodian Dean Porter after bursting onto Beadle’s cushioned header.

A second goal almost followed, only for Porter to block brilliantly when Ryan Jackson met Matthew Woolley’s floated free kick.

Linnets sounded a warning before the break, when Potter headed narrowly off-target from a set-piece.

Ian Street’s side went close again early in the second period, this time when Tyler Edwards scooped over following fine approach play by Jackson on the right.

Porter then thwarted Jackson again on the hour.

Linnets levelled on 67 minutes, when Antony Hickey reacted quickest to meet a loose ball after 1874 had failed to clear a lofted ball forward.

Hall then reacted smartly to hold onto a header from Potter, left unmarked at the far post.

The contest’s defining moment followed when Thomas was judged to have hauled down Potter as he ran clear.

White was merciless from the spot, as he had been during last season’s corresponding fixture.

Linnets | Porter (GK), Brislen, Atherton, Hardwick, White, Ellison (Cox 55), Smith (Simpson 83), Hamid, Potter, Hickey, Sherlock Subs not used Houghton, Jones, Kennerley Goals Hickey 67, White 79 (penalty) Booked Potter

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor, James, Mitchell, Thomas, Chappell (Riley 42, Brandon 86), Jackson, Matthew Woolley, Beadle, Edwards, Wellstead (Jack Woolley 87) Subs not used Farnworth, Mason Goal Chappell 18 Booked Beadle, Thomas, Mitchell, Brandon Sent off Thomas

Referee Matthew Parry

Attendance 456

Additional reporting by Garry Clarke