'Wonder' save seals it... (From The Westmorland Gazette)

'Wonder' save seals it...

8:59am Friday 13th January 2006 in

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ONLY a wonder save from point-blank range in the final minute denied battling Kendal Town a replay against Premier Division opponents Runcorn FC Halton in the UniBond League Cup, writes Dennis Aris.

Stung into action by last Monday's poor showing against Eastwood Town, First Division Kendal gave the fans full value in this fighting display in a game dominated by two excellent goalkeepers.

Runcorn looked sharp on the break while Town took time to settle until their first chance fell to left winger Ged Smith, who cut in to meet right winger Peter Smith's cross after 20 minutes, but collided with the post as he attempted to head in.

The speed of advancing striker David Foster then forced Runcorn keeper Robbie Holcroft to spill the ball which Lee Ashcroft collected.

Kendal Town 0, Runcorn FC Halton 1

He squared it back into the heart of the penalty area, but Foster's poorly-struck shot was deflected round the post.

In the cup-tie atmosphere the game could have got out of hand, but bookings for Runcorn's Paul Scott and Kendal's Ian Kilford for an off- the-ball flare-up followed by a yellow for Michael Moore for a follow-up tackle on Kilford a minute later settled tempers down.

Kendal keeper James Salisbury made a series of important stops while the side's best chance of the half was a stinging shot from right back Paul Rigby which Holcroft did well to push away for a corner.

With captain Lee Ashcroft visibly struggling because of his groin injury, however, it was Runcorn who shaded the goalless first half.

Runcorn started the second half strongly and forced a succession of corners, one an inswinger which Kendal keeper James Salisbury acrobatically hooked out as it dipped under the bar.

Salisbury's faultless perform-ance was only marred in the 56th minute when he called for a cross from the right only for Runcorn's Lee Furlong to get up in front of him to head firmly home.

In the last half hour Kendal took the game to the visitors with the fluid Jed Smith much in evidence in setting up attacks down the right.

A neat one-two with Paul Osborne forced a desperate block by Holcroft while at the other end Moore's low drive brought a solid diving save from Salisbury.

Russ McKenna, restored to the side after a one-match suspension, bolstered up the left flank and one probing run saw him launch a low cross through the six-yard box which narrowly beat everyone.

With 15 minutes to go Tony Hesketh went for broke, replacing tiring Peter Smith and struggling Ashcroft with John Osborne and Chris Ward.

Foster looked to be in for an equaliser when McKenna found him with a penetrating pass, but his shot was well held by Holcroft.

Almost immediately Salisbury was in action at the other end saving at close range as Adam Hunter burst through the centre of the defence.

Hesketh's last throw of the dice was to replace Foster with youth squad debutant Robert Parker and throw the bustling Dene Whittal-Williams forward.

It nearly paid off as Town camped in the Runcorn half for the final eight minutes.

Ged Smith beat three men and crossed into the six-yard box, but Ward's bullet-like header produced a remarkable save from Holcroft, who appeared to be going the wrong way yet somehow turned the ball over the bar with one hand.

Kilford had a rasping shot from 10 yards saved then skied the last chance of the match over the bar.

Defeat was tempered by the knowledge that if Town can win promotion this season they will not be outclassed in the Premier Division.

How they rated: Salisbury 8; Rigby 7, Whittal-Williams 6, Taylor 6, McKenna 7; P. Osborne 6, Kilford 7; P. Smith 7 (J. Osborne 6 from 75 minutes), Foster 6 (Parker 5 from 83 minutes), Ashcroft 6 (Ward 6 from 75 minutes), G. Smith 8.