NO matter what happens next, Lloyd Morrison has already Winsford history in the FA Vase.

He is the first Blues manager in a dozen attempts to record three successive wins in the competition, the latest at league rivals Runcorn Linnets.

They scored twice in the contest’s closing stages to secure a spot in Monday’s draw.

Shorn of midfield trio John Bennett, Adam Foy and Steve Warburton, Morrison placed Andy Keogh closest on the pitch to top scorer Andy Hurst.

And Keogh’s low drive, blocked with a leg by Linnets goalkeeper Dave Moran, marked the match’s first shot on target.

Blues led on nine minutes, when Phil Drummond arced a perfectly-placed set piece into the top corner after Chris Lawton’s clumsy tackle cut short Keogh’s dribble.

Lawton made a mess of an opportunity to make amends when he sliced wide a free kick from a promising position.

Winsford’s best move followed, Paul Pearson combining with Keogh to put Drummond in a space from which he forced Moran to make a brave stop at his near post.

Moran stretched to tip over Keogh’s header from Pearson’s corner at the start of the second half, a feat copied by Andy Jones at the other end to deny Adam Wade.

Runcorn defender Jonah O’Reilly was lucky his to divert the ball onto the crossbar from Drummond’s next flag kick before the hosts restored parity on 65 minutes.

Substitute Matty Jones, on the field for less than three minutes, was first to Michael Simpson’s centre.

Morrison perhaps pondered if his side’s fortune had deserted them when Hurst’s header crashed against the woodwork soon afterwards, but he need not have worried.

One of his replacements, Matthew Toole, steered a pass into Kyle McGonigle’s path with nine minutes to go, the midfielder spearing a low shot from distance into the bottom corner.

Toole picked Michael Duffy’s pocket before supplying an assist for Hurst to score a third goal with time running out.

Linnets (4-4-2) Moran (GK), Simpson, Duffy, Lawton, O’Reilly (Crowder 59), Wade (Matty Jones 62), Ellison, Pearson, Atherton, Turner (Breen 81), Black. Subs not used Smith, Wedge. Goal Jones 65. Booked Lawton (foul).

Winsford (4-4-1-1) Andy Jones (GK), Blair (Toole 59), Maynard, Duckworth, Drummond, Matthews (Dickson 83), McGonigle, Pearson, McDonnell, Keogh, Hurst (Egan 90). Subs not used Harrison (GK), Davies. Goals Drummond 9, McGonigle 81, Hurst 90.

Attendance 315