Lancaster 3 Runcorn 1

EVEN the rain couldn't dampen Lancaster's spirits as they bounced back from last week's heavy defeat in style.

Goals from Chris Ward, Kenny Mayers and Lee Clitheroe sealed the win early on in the second half for City, but Lancaster conceded a late goal meaning they haven't kept a clean sheet for 11 consecutive games.

Though 'keeper Mark Thornley can be forgiven for that slight lapse of concentration because throughout his comeback match, he was solid. Lancaster stamped their authority on the game early on when they took the lead in the 6th minute.

Mayers played the ball back to Ward who was under pressure 12 yards from goal.

The Runcorn defender got to the ball first and whacked it, but Ward made a superb block which cannoned off him into the net.

The half continued with Lancaster dominating all the way through but somehow they didn't increase their lead.

Though that could have been something to do with the two goals that City had disallowed.

In the 23rd minute, Paul Sparrow put in a superb ball for Kenny Mayers who fired the ball past the keeper but was adjudged to have been offside.

Then in the 38th minute, Phil Horner put a high ball into the danger area with 'keeper Richard Acton and Ward challenging for the ball. Acton rose high and claimed the ball but it seemed to have slipped out of his hands, with Ward pouncing on the mistake to head home. However, the referee had other ideas as he gave a free kick to Runcorn, saying Ward had impeded Acton by heading the ball out of his hands.

City made it three in the 66th minute when a lot of shots were finally converted into a goal.

Crompton was wreaking havoc down the left wing once again as he skipped past three defenders as though they weren't even there. His vicious 20 yard shot had well beaten the keeper but rebounded off the post.

Manager Tony Hesketh said: "We've worked very hard today and shown that we can play good football despite being on the back of that bad run.

"Every team has it's ups and downs and we must be realistic about where we want to finish this season but, so far, the signs are fairly positive."