For the third time this season Helsby were left gutted after a late show from Runcorn Town, two goals for the hosts inside the last five minutes denying the Green Machine a deserved point in this West Cheshire League Division One derby.

Helsby opened brightly and could have taken the lead after just two minutes, debutant Wayne Welbeck setting up Liam Page, whose shot was blocked by the Town keeper's legs. Page and Welbeck then both spurned half chances as Helsby looked the more likely team to score in a competitive but well contested opening period. Town, needing a win to maintain their title aspirations, showed their mettle and almost registered but cleared the bar with a free header from a corner. Another opportunity for Helsby went begging when Kevin Patterson got on the end of a free kick from the right but he could not keep his header down. Andy Stringer in the Helsby goal turned away a long range effort and the first half ended honours even.

The sides continued to cancel each other out after the interval, Helsby looking to hit Town on the break, while the home team took a route one approach to goal. Helsby's defence stood firm as pressure mounted, Matty Jones, Darren Moore and Daryl Evans repelling everything Town threw at them. Helsby nearly broke the deadlock when a header back to the keeper by Town's centre half bounced up and shaved his own crossbar, then shortly afterward the visitors had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Page's shot struck a Town arm in the box. It seemed as though the stalemate would continue through to the final whistle, when a hopeful ball into the Helsby box saw keeper and defenders hesitate and Town's striker nipped in to head home. To add insult to injury for Helsby, a speculative 35 yard shot caught Stringer off guard in overtime to give Town a flattering, though vital, 2-0 victory.