LES Miranda rescued Blues for the second time in four days.

The Legend's late winner settled a feisty encounter in front of Barton Stadium's biggest crowd of the campaign.

And it was worth the wait.

He outpaced pedestrian former Blue John Halpin before sending a perfect lob over retreating keeper Robbie Holcroft.

It was a strike worthy of winning any match.

And Winsford looked less likely than their rivals to take the points after manager Joe Gibiliru sent them out in an unfamiliar formation.

With Tony Sayer and John Bluck on the bench and Mischa Showers missing through illness the hosts resorted to a long-ball game.

Honours were even in the opening stages and both Miranda and Phil Mason had efforts blocked.

Thomas Lamb spurned a couple of chances at the other end before Runcorn took the lead on 37 minutes.

Michael Young was given two chances to cross the ball from the left and his second effort was guided home by the head of Carl Osman.

Winsford struck back almost immediately and Miranda's perfectly weighted through ball beat the Linnets square defence and was hammered home by Mason dashing in from the right.

The opening stages of the second period saw the visitors take the game to Winsford and only stout defending by twin central defenders Dave Barnes and Dave Ridler kept them at bay.

A spectacular save with his feet by Michael Langley to kept the scores level before Ryan Wallace's free kick was flew inches over the bar.

The introduction of Bluck on the hour saw the game change and his runs down the right began to carve holes in the Runcorn.

He his was the pass that teed up Miranda's winner.

Blues' supporters were then relieved to see a last-minute shot by Young cleared off the line by captain Ian Callaghan.

Star Man: Chris Sheppard
Blues: Langley, Callaghan, Duckworth, Barnes, Ridler, Mason, Owens, Ennion (Calland 80), Connell (Bluck 67), Miranda, Sheppard
Subs not used: Dears, Sayer, Hughes
Attendance: 223