RUNCORN'S players have some soul searching to do ahead of tomorrow's trip to Farsley Celtic.
They let down their manager, supporters and themselves with this abysmal performance which leaves them in grave danger of a second successive relegation.
If Matlock had been particularly impressive, defeat could have been stomached but they were simply the better of two poor sides.
Runcorn's woes began in the 14th minute when Ian Clarke scored direct from a free-kick 30 yards out and 10 yards in from the left touchline - the swirling,, wind-assisted effort completely deceiving keeper Robbie Holcroft.
The home side's agony continued with a successful stoppage-time penalty by the same scorer, who had been fouled by Paddy O'Driscoll.
The ex-Burscough defender was injured in making the tackle and stretchered off - his centre-back partner Lee Siadankay having limped through the contest.
The truth is Matlock could have had three or four goals in a first 25 minutes and yet Shaun Whalley twice went close to sending the Linnets into a less than deserved half-time level.
Sub Paul Rogers gave Runcorn more of a spark in the second half but hesitant defending gifted Matlock two more goals through Gary Webster on 63 minutes and skipper James Lukic nine minutes later.
Thomas Lamb had a shot cleared off the line in the last 10 minutes with Rogers heading against the bar from the resulting corner but it was all too little and too late.
Runcorn are now goalless in their last five UniBond League Premier Division games and will hope for a speedy upturn in fortunes.
RUNCORN: Holcroft, Hunter, Fitzsimmons, O'Driscoll (Locke, 90 mins), Siadankay, Birchall (Moore, 69), Whalley (Rogers, 57), Scott, Lamb, Bowden, Furlong.
MATLOCK: Richmond, Davis, Hopkins, Clarke, McNicholas, Lukic, Webster, Warne, Cropper (Williams, 64), Barraclough (Eaton, 82), Riley. Sub: Taylor.
