FANS of the town's new club have even more reason to believe football in Runcorn is turning a corner.
Linnets secured a shock maiden victory against one of the top League of Wales outfits - with a goal directly from a corner.
Rhyl's last game had been a UEFA Cup tie at the end of last month in Lithuania where they lost 2-1 over the 90 minutes -and on aggregate - to FK Suduva.
They found the shorter trip to Wincham Park no more fruitful with Andy McCoy's 59th-minute effort separating the sides.
After the heavy drubbings suffered by Runcorn FC Halton late last season, no-one would begrudge Linnets this success.
It is of course one performance in a friendly. But, although some players are still to come into the side, Runcorn never allowed their guests to dictate.
Rhyl did have the better first-half chances but ex-Harrogate Town shotstopper George Caulfield pulled off two splendid saves - a fine block from Lee Hunt and then an agile tipover, belying his lack of height.
Hunt had also rattled the home bar with a header from a corner and had a goal ruled offside but Linnets had always been in contention.
Soon after half-time, Paul Scott came on to add extra presence in midfield.
Left-sided player Mick Young cleared the bar with a shot which always looked to be rising but this was only a precursor.
The Linnets forced three corners in succession and not long after another from their left, which keeper John Gann allowed to drift beyond him to the far post and in.
Two minutes earlier, Runcorn substitute right-back James Deane had left the field with what proved to be a broken collar bone.
He sustained the damage within eight minutes of replacing assistant player-boss Mark Phillips, who had been limping.
The changes did not affect the hosts who protected their lead well.
David Thompson showed some clever moves in attack, just missing the target from 30 yards after skilfully knocking the ball past a defender.
He also linked up well with hold-up man Thomas Lamb who had arguably his best game in a Runcorn shirt.
LINNETS: Caulfield, Phillips (Deane 57, Tierney 65), Melling, O'Driscoll, Newell, Quirk (Scott 52), McCoy, Edwards, Thompson, Lamb, Young (Rollinson 72). Attendance: 91.
