AN avalanche of goals in the closing stages only just failed to give Colne a share of the points against Runcorn Town at the XLCR Stadium. The Reds had matched their opponents in every department until 56 minutes when Sam Hayes sliced the ball into the top corner of his own net while trying to clear a dangerous cross to give Runcorn the lead.

Colne fought back and grabbed a deserved equaliser after 77 minutes when Kieran Demaine drove in an inswinging corner kick which visiting keeper Karl Wills could only help into his own net.

But five minutes later Runcorn regained the lead when a half-clearance by the Colne defence fell to Gareth Grant who volleyed home a low shot from 20 yards through a crowded penalty area. Runcorn went further ahead on 84 minutes when Paul Shanley broke clear and finished with a diagonal shot into the far corner of the net. And they game looked to be all over when Emini Adegbenro added a fourth goal for Runcorn with a good solo run and finish.

But Colne reduced the arrears two minutes into injury time when Ben Bridson blasted an unstoppable shot into the roof of the visitors net. And a minute later, it was Bridson who provided the cross for Micky Woodvine to score at the near post and take the Reds to within a goal of their opponents. Unfortunately the final whistle denied Colne any further opportunities when they seemed to have found their scoring touch.