RUNCORN were beaten for pace on Saturday - unable to cope with the high tempo set by Droylsden.

The Bloods tore at the visitors from the start andnot onlyweretheyquicker totheball,they were also stronger and more inventive.

Just as they had done on their previous Nationwide North visit to Tameside - at Ashton - the Linnets fell behind early. This time an attempted seventh-minute clearance by Lee Prior cannoned off the back of the largely unsuspecting home midfieldman Steve Brodie, and ex-Droylsden wing-back Prior was unable to keep the ball out.

Unlike at Hurst Cross, however, Runcorn didn't fold before the break yet they had to hang on for 20 minutes before finally getting something of a foothold.

Even so, the Linnets' best attempt of the first half - and indeed the game - came before Droylsden's first goal.

Lee Parle's stinging left-foot half volley was tipped over by the athletic Paul Phillips.

The new central midfield partnership of Parle and Mike Garrity didn't click while Tom Spearritt's pace and industry was sorely missed in the heart of defence.

Carl Rendell surprisingly had some success in the air against a home rearguard featuring 6ft 4in ex-Runcorn defender Garry Burke.

But Rendell's headers either went wide or were directed straight at Phillips.

Once tall striker Dave Cameron, a constant threat to Runcorn, had capitalised on a free header from Burke's 50th-minute cross, it always looked a long way back.

Lee Kissock intermittently brought Runcorn to life, stubbing a shot wide and heading over. But confusion in defence handed Cameron his second 13 minutes from time to end any lingering doubts.

Prior sold Peter Ellis, making his first start of the season,shortwitha straypassandCameron romped clear to clip the ball over Tony McMillan as the keeper committed himself.

Ex-Gen Chems defender Robbie Moore made a cameo appearance as a makeshift striker, but it was all over by then.

RUNCORN: McMillan, Prior (Moore 79), McGinn, Ellis, Robertson, Ness, Garrity, Parle, Young (Courtney 52), Rendell, Durkan (Kissock 52). Subs: Nolan, Carragher.