BARNOLDSWICK Town's struggles continued as they lost 2-1 to Runcorn Town to remain 15th in the North West Counties Premier Division.

The hosts took the lead through a Ric Seear penalty on the half hour mark before the visitors equalised on the stroke of half time.

Town must have thought Adam Stevens injury was a blessing in disguise when his replacement John Beckwith, who produced a stunning penalty save on the 49th minute.

However, the 10th-placed side did gain their advantage by smashing in the resulting rebound.

Turner Shuttle attempted to rescue a point moments later with a couple of efforts which required excellent saves from the Runcorn stopper during Saturday's clash.

The home side desperately tried to find a valuable goal to stop the rot but it did not come as they were condemned to their third consecutive home defeat.

It is also a trio of league defeats under the Endrit Shehu reign, who had hoped to reverse the clubs fortunes after the departure of Matt Barnes to Prestwich Heys, last month.

The Albanian will want to gain his first three points as a manager when his side travel to Northwich Victoria on Wednesday night.