Colwyn Bay 3 - 3 Runcorn FC Halton - 10/10/01 - League Cup
After squandering a two goal lead in this League Challenge Cup Group Five match, Bay were indebted to striker Danny Barton for grabbing a late equaliser. A six goal thriller at Llanelian Road kept the crowd entertained, but Bay were disappointed not to collect three points from a game they had control of. It appeared Runcorn had gone ahead in the 23rd minute when Kevin Leadbetter chipped home, but the referee ruled there had been an offside offence. Bay went in front in the 25th minute when, following good work from Marc Limbert and Stuart Scheuber, Jonathan Cross whipped home a magnificent shot from the edge of the box. It was almost 2-0 seconds later when Barton latched onto a long ball but his left-foot shot rolled inches wide. Jason Jones had a chance in the 36th minute but he headed over from an Alun Evans free-kick. Schueber then tested Runcorn 'keeper Tony McMillan with a stinging drive just before the break. The home side claimed a deserved second goal in the 52nd minute when intricate passing between Limbert and Cross resulted in Barton netting with a precision left-foot drive. Colin Caton's men then disappointingly switch off and in the 58th minute Neil Whalley headed Runcorn back into the game from a David Gamble corner. The visitors levelled on 63 minutes when Bay failed to clear a cross from the right and substitute Steve Carragher curled in a cracking left-foot shot from just inside the area. Bay could have re-taken the lead in the 70th minute when Craig Hogg robbed David Ness and burst into the area but McMillan blocked well at his feet. From the resulting Limbert corner, Dean Williams headed just over the bar. Home 'keeper Smith produced a superb save from substitute Liam Watson, but in the 76th minute the away side grabbed the lead for the first time. The lively Watson was felled in the area by Glen Graham and then got up to fire home from the penalty spot. Only a top drawer Smith save from Leadbetter prevented a fourth for Runcorn before Cross drove wide for the hosts. Bay claimed an equaliser in the 84th minute when a left-foot centre from the right by Cross was headed home by man of the match Barton who was razor-sharp all night. Williams could have snatched it for Colwyn in injury time, heading over from a Limbert corner before Watson went close at the other end.
Colwyn Bay: Paul Smith, Craig Hogg, Stuart Scheuber, Paul Jones, Glen Graham, Jason Jones (C), Marc Limbert, Dean Williams, Danny Barton, Jonathan Cross, Alun Evans(Jon Fisher-Cooke 81). Subs not used. Craig Lawton, Deiniol Graham. Attendance 220.
Bay go close from a corner.
Danny Barton wins a header.
Dean Williams sets off on a fine run.