ON a hiding to nothing once Gainsborough had been reduced to 10 men by a fourth-minute sending off, rejuvenated Runcorn did all they could on Saturday.
They got the points in what can be difficult circumstances.
Much of the credit went to Trinity, who by Linnets boss Alvin McDonald's admission turned in a fine display after the dismissal of skipper Neil Allison for a 'professional' foul on Danny Byrne.
At the same time, McDonald was left to laud Runcorn's supreme finishing, continued durability and the quality of their football.
They recovered from conceding the first goal to Lee Ellington in 25 minutes to lead 2-1 at half-time thanks to a well-worked goal by on-loan Byrne and a Nicky Young scissors kick.
Runcorn also responded with an 18-yard winner from Lee Parle (65) after Simon Bird had levelled after 48 minutes.
McDonald said: 'Gainsborough played well and made it hard for us and they should get the credit.
'But we had started well and had created two chances before their lad was sent off.
'They never looked like equalising when we got it to 3-2 and we always looked as though we could score a fourth to put it to rest.'
RUNCORN: McMillan, Carragher, McGinn, Moore, Robertson (Nolan 79), Ness (Wright 25, Durkan 72), Brown, Parle, Young, Byrne, Courtney. Subs not used: Rendell, Lock, Attendance: 314. Urmston Town West 4 Runcorn FC Halton Yth 1: After two blank weekends it was back to Altrincham Under-21s League action for Runcorn FC Halton against joint top-of-the-table Urmston Town West.
Excellent goalkeeping from Chris McCann kept the score close until very late. Overall, a lack of recent games was obvious in a disappointing performance.
An Alex Cunningham penalty cancelled out an early goal for Urmston but, in the second half, it was mainly one-way traffic.
