THIS was one of those derbies after which managers of both teams could say they were disappointed with a draw.

That probably means the outcome was the right one.

Runcorn Linnets played for more than an hour against 10 men following Neil Chappell’s first-half dismissal, but had to come from behind to earn a share of the spoils.

Meanwhile 1874 Northwich, second-best with a full complement, improved enough after the interval for Ian Street to admit he was frustrated Tom Bailey’s goal had not brought the dividend of maximum points.

It was that sort of contest.

In the end, a tie was enough to propel the visitors to top spot in the Premier Division table.

“Now we want to stay there,” declared Street afterwards.

If his side can reproduce the resilience they showed after Chappell was shown a red card by referee Alan Bennett for a forceful tackle on Chris Lawton with less than half an hour gone, they can be optimistic of doing so.

Linnets, relieved that Bailey’s early goal was disallowed for offside despite a defender appearing to deflect the ball his way, had taken the initiative by then.

Bevan Burey’s driven cross, after Mark Houghton sent him scampering down the right, needed only a touch from a sliding Anthony Donaldson.

1874 goalkeeper Greg Hall then steered to safety Ronnie McCarthy’s fizzing shot.

Linnets, prompted by Adam Wade in the centre of the field, were more fluid than their guests.

They looked increasingly likely find a way through too before Chappell’s early exit led to Street asking Scott McGowan to take on more defensive responsibility.

It left Bailey in attack alone, and Linnets struggled initially to respond.

Bennett was unimpressed with the home team’s appeals for a penalty when Hall made contact with Houghton after waiting too long for a back-pass to reach him, while Donaldson was wasteful after Daniel McKenna’s pass had found him in a shooting space.

Houghton went closest to scoring in the seconds before half-time, but his shot scraped an upright after Burey had been invited to counter by net-minder Tom Hunt’s quick throw.

Northwich needed only four minutes after the interval to take the lead, Bailey instinctively jabbing a boot the ball’s way to divert substitute Stuart Wellstead’s centre into the net.

Hall was alert to parry Houghton’s skidding effort to safety at the other end as Linnets attempted a response.

But 1874, with midfield duo Matthew Woolley and Mark Jones as prominent in the second period as they were invisible in the first, were undeterred.

The former’s glorious pass gave Wellstead a glimpse of goal on 64 minutes, but his angled attempt whistled past the far upright.

Runcorn manager Michael Ellison sent on Steve Foster to support Houghton, and the replacement delivered an equaliser on 71 minutes.

When a free kick, needlessly conceded by Ryan Mitchell, was diverted into his path the front man despatched a rising shot past a helpless Hall.

Lawton, from point-blank range, headed against the crossbar from a McKenna corner as Linnets – purpose rediscovered after toiling to make their extra man count – looked for a decisive second goal.

But they did not get as clear an opportunity again.

1874 have still not beaten their rivals in a league game but, given the circumstances, this point may prove precious.

Linnets | 4-4-1-1 | Hunt (GK), O’Brien, Morris, Lawton, McKenna, Burey, Wade, McCarthy, Shanley, Donaldson (Foster 59), Houghton Subs not used Carlson, Mbdokele, Thorpe, Kennerley Goal Foster 71 Booked McKenna, Burey (both fouls)

1874 | 4-4-2 | Hall (GK), Connor, Mitchell, Thomas, Russell, Chappell, Jones, Matthew Woolley, Hind, McGowan (Wellstead 46), Tom Bailey (Jack Woolley 79) Subs not used Rick Bailey, James Goal Tom Bailey 49 Booked Jones, Mitchell (both fouls), Hall (time-wasting) Sent off Chappell (foul)

Referee Alan Bennett

Attendance 439