DIV 1 WEST
By Jack Owens

■ A FIRST-HALF goal was enough for Runcorn Linnets to secure all three points in a drab affair at Townfi eld.
Substitute Matthew Birchall finished from 12 yards after a lucky break fell the way of the forward inside the 1874 penalty area.
A number of 1874 attacks were repelled by the strong back line of promotion-chasing Linnets.
Nosakhare Aghayere in the 1874 goal made the only meaningful save of the second half, tipping over James Short’s freekick from 25 yards.
Runcorn Linnets managed the final 20 minutes well and limited 1874 to only half ...