RUNCORN had to hand it to goal-keeper Robbie Holcroft as they got back on something like an even keel after conceding six goals without reply in two defeats on their latest travels.

Returning home to Prescot's Valerie Park, the Linnets were indebted to Holcroft for a first-half penalty save in a game which otherwise saw neither keeper tested in terms of shotstopping.

The spot-kick award for a foul on striker David Cooke was clear cut but the effort itself from midfield man Mark Stuart gave the Linnets' number one enough of a chance after he had guessed correctly by diving low to his right.

There was no lack of attacking endeavour from either side but Runcorn tended to overhit their final pass, especially in the first half, while Guiseley worked the ball well into the opposition box but then came to grief.

Runcorn's best opportunities were in the second half when the Yorkshire side's keeper Matt Taylor twice bravely denied Lee Furlong at the striker's feet.

Home skipper Paul Scott produced the best piece of skill in the game late on when he teed the ball up for himself only to hit the ball inches wide from 20 yards with the outside of his right boot.

But the closest either side came to a goal was in the 71st minute when a free-kick from the edge of the penalty box by Guiseley defender Sam Denton struck Run-corn counterpart Lee Siadankay and then came back off a post.

RUNCORN: Holcroft, Phillips (Whalley 88), Flood, O'Driscoll, Siadankay, Bowden, Hunter, Scott, Furlong, Burns, Martindale. Subs: Lamb, Locke.

GUISELEY: Taylor, Hay, Ball, Quinn (Smithard 62), Ellis, Denton, Lee, Grayston, Cooke, Jackson, Stuart (Marsden 86). Sub: Larkin.