Frickley returned from Runcorn empty handed following a game which they could, and should, have managed at least one point if not all three. Still looking for their first win of the season, Duane Beckett was brought back into the side following his return to the club, goalkeeper Mark Wilkinson also returned after missing Monday's game through work commitments and Rob Hanby was also declared fit.

The home side forced a good save from Wilkinson in the third minute when he did well to block a close range header at the far post but Frickley struck back with Hayward having a 15 yard header tipped over the bar following James Watson's cross from the right. Frickley started to take the game to Runcorn and were beginning to look dangerous and came close on 20 minutes when, following a corner, Gary Duffty knocked the ball back to Chris Hilton on the edge of the box but his 18 yard shot was blocked.

Runcorn then had a shot through a crowded penalty area that beat Wilkinson but rebounded to safety off his right hand post but this served as a warning as on 27 minutes Robinson waltzed past three challenges to poke the ball past Wilkinson and just inside the far post to give the home side the lead.

Frickley responded with Chris Hurst putting Hayward through but his first time effort was half-hearted and went well wide of the target. Then on the stroke of half time Beckett ought to have levelled the scores as Duffty picked him out unmarked about ten yards out and in the centre of goal but his glancing header grazed the far post with the keeper rooted to the spot.

The second half saw Frickley on the offensive immediately with Hilton picking out Hurst on the far post but his powerful header was saved well at the foot of the post. The hosts, however, extended their lead on 58mkinutes when a clearance from defence was picked up by Nolan on half way and he bore down on the Frickley goal before firing into the corner from 18 yards. This was rough justice on Frickley but they got themselves back in it on 65 minutes when Hilton played a ball into the box which Duffty dummied to allow Watson to shoot at goal. His hot was mis-shit but it somehow bobbled into the corner of the net with the keeper grasping at thin air. Ian Edge then replaced Watson and he almost gave Frickley the lead, beating the right full-back before cutting inside and firing in a low shot which was turned round the post for a corner. From the corner Hurst's header landed on the roof of the net.

However, worse was to follow when Beckett was harshly sent off following a challenge in midfield when he was dispossessed as he went to turn and pass the ball forward, thus dealing the Runcorn player a crack on his shins. Then in the last minute Wilkinson made brilliant diving save to his left to divert a Runcorn effort away for a corner.

Frickley Athletic : Mark Wilkinson, Hilton, Fox, Lafferty, West (Matt Wilkinson 67), Hanby, J. Watson (Edge 66), Hurst, Hayward, Beckett, Duffty. Unused sub. Bashforth.