Runcorn FC Halton 2, Bradford Park Avenue 2: THEY say goals change matches but substitutions carried equal importance in this one.

Double changes by each sides at different stages of the second half had a major influence in Runcorn surrendering a two-goal lead.

Again, you had to feel sympathy for the Linnets who put such a lot into this UniBond League Premier Division game in the rain at Valerie Park.

But you can't buy experience and Runcorn's naivety again cost them a win, which had looked to be within reach at half-time.

It was at that stage, Avenue turned the tide which had been very much against them due to Colin Flood's unanswered strikes at either end of the first half.

Steve Smith and Dean Calcutt came on to take on the wide positions for Bradford and within four minutes, Tom Greaves struck to revive visiting hopes after Run-corn had failed to cope with a ball into the heart of the 18-yard box.

Runcorn's fortunes took a further turn for the worse in 69th minute.

With Tommy Taylor already on for Adam Hunter, Runcorn were preparing to replace Ian McInerney when Colin Flood also picked up a knock.

Runcorn finished, therefore, with specialist strikers - Taylor and a still far-from-fit Lee Furlong - in the wide positions and playermanager Steve Carragher in central midfield, having not played before this season.

The outcome was in many ways inevitable. With six minutes of normal time left, Brook Newton held off Jay Potter on the Runcorn right and he delivered a cross for Calcutt to pounce at the far post.

It would have been no surprise had Bradford gone on to grab a winner, such is Runcorn's plight but Greaves hooked Hadland's cross over the top.

The Linnets kept going, however, and Taylor could twice have snatched victory in the closing stages.

The Linnets had been worth the interval lead handed to them by Flood, who had a rush to make the noon kick-off after his morning coaching duties with Everton.

He scored from the game's first serious goal attempt on nine minutes - striking left-footed direct from a free-kick

Three minutes from the break, Runcorn got the extra breathing space which should have been enough.

Flood followed up a loose ball for his second after forwards Thomas Lamb and Shaun Whalley had worked hard for the opening.

RUNCORN FC HALTON: Holcroft, Potter, Ness, Robertson, Siadankay, McInerney (Furlong 69), Hunter (Taylor 66), Scott, Lamb, Whalley, Flood (Carragher 69). Attendance: 108.