RUNCORN FC Halton are still backing themselves to get out of trouble after dropping back into the bottom three with defeat at Marine on Tuesday.

The Linnets suffered at the hands of ex-boss Alvin McDonald and four of their former players and found no comfort in the commiserations they were offered.

Runcorn assistant boss Paul Burns said: 'Speaking to Marine afterwards, they couldn't believe they had come off winning 2-0.

'But it must be five or six times this season that the other side has said they can't understand why we are near the bottom.

'These pats on the back are all well and good but I'd rather people were saying we were awful and we were getting more points.'

Burns felt the Linnets were robbed by two refereeing decisions at Rossett Park but stressed Run-corn will keep on fighting.

He added: 'We've got to keep believing in ourselves. You are not going to win a league or get relegated in October.

'We'll really start worrying after Christmas if we are still down the bottom.

'We've got it in our armoury to get these points. We have proved we can play against the top sides.'

The Linnets this Saturday play the side at the peak when leaders North Ferriby United visit Valerie Park (3pm).

The Linnets must hope left-back David Ness can shake off flu while Jay Potter and Daryl Allen should return after missing the Marine game due to university and work commitments, respectively.

Runcorn's scheduled home game against Leek Town on Tuesday has been shelved due to the Staffordshire side's county cup commitments.

The Linnets' 2-0 defeat at Farsley on Saturday means they have exited both the FA Cup and FA Trophy in the first qualifying round - for the first time since the early 70s.

Runcorn at least have chance to avenge their Cup defeat against Skelmersdale, whom they will visit in the Liverpool Senior Cup - provisionally on November 22.

The incentive for the winners is a home tie with Liverpool.