AN excellent performance gave Runcorn FC Halton a narrow but well-deserved lead over Fives Athletic in the first leg of this tie.

If the finishing had matched the general play the tie would have been safe.

Goals in each half from Gary Glover gave the home side a two-goal lead but Fives pulled one back midway through the second half, which could be crucial in the second leg.

After last week's very poor performance this was a much better showing from Runcorn.

Team: Chris McCann, Tony Jackson, Neil Macmillan, James Dyer, Jay Highton, Lewis Watson, Daniel Cummins, Mark Barr, Keiron Parkinson, Gary Glover, Alex Cunningham, subs Mike Gore, Mike Lewis, Robert Macmillan.