Barrow 3 Runcorn FC Halton 0

THE Linnets' travel sickness continued against a strong Barrow side last week when they slipped to their fourth away defeat of the season.

Liam Watson's team made a promising start to the match at Holker Street and could have opened the scoring after just three minutes.

Simon Bishop in the Barrow goal was forced to make an impressive double save, with shots from Kevin leadbetter and Matthew McGinn, making his first team debut.

The visitors produced the better football in the first half but were unable to find the finish to cap a host of opportunities.

The best chance fell to Mike Edwards following an excellent flowing move involving five Linnets players. The build up play deserved a goal but the midfielder could only scuff his shot wide.

And, on the half hour mark, disaster struck when Barrow got a controversial breakthrough goal.

Kevin Hume got his head to a corner to send the ball goal-wards and there were appeals that his effort never crossed the line. But the goal stood and Runcorn entered the break 1-0 down.

Player-manager Liam Watson, sitting the match out with a broken ankle, saw his players start the second period just as they had the first.

But their determination bore no rewards and on the 54th minute, a mis-placed pass by the Runcorn midfield allowed Barrow in to extend their lead and end the visitor's mini-revival.

On-loan Trevor Tierney pounced on the error and ran from his own half, beating two defenders to score a fine individual goal.

Hume added a third for Barrow near the end to seal the victory and make it a long journey home for Runcorn.

Runcorn: McMillan, Edwards, McGinn, Ellis, Tomlinson, Lightfoot, Ryder (Parle), Lunt, McNeil Gamble Leadbetter (Kinney). Subs not used: Ness.