DESPITE missing various opportunities to book their place in the quarter-finals of the League Cup, Vauxhall's point at Rivacre Park last night leaves them top of the group.

The Motormen are still undefeated in the competition with one more pool match to play at Altrincham next month.

Manager Alvin McDonald said: 'We are making hard work of it at the moment but Runcorn are an in-form side. We had numerous chances to win the game late on.'

Vauxhall pushed hard in early stages for an opener and the breakthrough came in the 38th minute.

Robbie Lawton fired home a loose ball under pressure from two defenders after Runcorn keeper McMillan could only parry Terry Fearns' shot.

But the Linnets were level within just two minutes as Cowley finished off a slick counter attack.

The visitors had much more territorial play after the break and took the lead on 66 minutes when Tomlinson struck from close range following Gamble's free kick.

Vauxhall clawed their way back in the latter stages and Matt Haddrell headed in a glorious equaliser from Lawton's right wing cross with nine minutes remaining.

Vauxhall: Hogg, Spellman, McDermott, Brazier, Haddrell, Lynch, Nesbitt, Lawton, Cumiskey (Wright 70), Young, Fearns (Stanhope 65).

* The Motormen return to league action on Saturday as they travel to Bradford Park Avenue.