Runcorn FC Halton 2

Bradford Park Avenue 1

Avenue slumped back to the foot of the Conference North table with defeat at fourth-bottom Runcorn on Saturday and any tenuous hopes of escaping relegation were surely dashed.

Goals in the first and last minutes by the home side sandwiched a good strike from Tom Greaves and handed all the points to Runcorn, leaving their own bid for survival much stronger.

"I'm very annoyed with some of the players. One or two ripped up the script and just did what they wanted," blasted Bradford boss Carl Shutt.

"We had a game-plan, we talked them through it and sent them out but once they were over the white line they either forgot or didn't care and because of that we have lost a game that was winnable.

"The first ten to 15 minutes of a game away from home is all about rolling your sleeves up and battling. Hold the opposition at all cost, quieten their supporters and take the steam out of the players.

"So we concede in the first minute! I couldn't believe it but it wasn't time to give up and though we weren't at our best we came back. We had them rocking at one point, with Tom Greaves scoring a goal that lifted us.

"We looked like the only winners then but instead of picking up at least a point we have come away with nothing because of an individual error.

"If the players had shown as much

passion and effort as the supporters we would have walked it. Our fans were quality at Runcorn and it's just a shame that we didn't give them the reward they deserve."

Even the introduction of a new signing could not change Avenue's fortune.

Sean McClare came into the midfield to make his Avenue debut - the former Barnsley and Rochdale player had been training with Halifax Town.

Considering he had not even met the players after completing his move the day before the game he made a good impression.

It was some of the regular faces that looked out of place.

The early goal came after a misplaced clearance. Danny Ryan did not get enough power on to the ball as he tried to cut out a cross and Robbie Moore lashed it past Andy Britton from eight yards.

Avenue forced a few corners but had to wait until the 30th minute for their first attempt on target. Stephen Oleksewycz, back in the side for the first time after a spell in hospital, laid the ball to Craig Smith but his long-range drive was saved at full stretch by home keeper Neil Thompson.

Avenue had overcome their early setback to the extent that they were dominating possession but they almost slipped up again early in the second half with the unmarked Moore just failing to meet a cross in front of an unguarded net.

The visitors should have equalised midway through the second period but Ryan put his header from a Dean Jones cross over the bar.

However, just five minutes from time, Greaves got across his man to head home a lofted ball from Oleksewycz.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Smith attempted to be too clever with the ball midway inside his own half. He was dispossessed and two passes later Scott Willis was driving in Runcorn's winner.