An almost perfect start to the season continued for Skelmersdale United with a 3-0 win over Runcorn Town at the Viridor Community Stadium on Saturday.

Paul McNally promoted Tom Croughan from the bench to replace the injured Emini Adegbenro in the only change to Tuesday's FA Cup starting line-up at Longridge Town and it was Croughan who had the first chance of the afternoon with an angled shot over the bar in the fourth minute, Runcorn responded with Lewis Buckley hitting into the side netting at the other end.

Town 'keeper Adam Reid denied United from striking the opening goal in the 10th minute as he saved chances from both Croughan and Danny Mitchley but he was beaten a minute later as Callum Preston's effort took a deflection and sailed past Reid for 1-0.

Kieran Holsgrove sent a shot wide of the target before Reid claimed an Ellams free-kick comfortably at the other end. Town had a great chance to draw level on 36 minutes. Ryan Cox picking out Dale Jennings whose shot went past the far post.

United tried their luck with Josh Peet finding Mitchley who hit wide before Ellams drew a low save from Reid. United's threats continued with Reid denying Mitchley but he was soon beaten by the United number nine who connected to Jack Grimshaw's low cross and fired in for 2-0 on 42 minutes.

The lead could have been three at the break but as Mike Grogan connected to a free-kick, he headed narrowly over the bar. The second half began fairly quietly for both sides with the only chance before the hour mark being Alex Griffiths' cross being claimed by Reid.

Substitute Francois Antoine saw a shot saved by Ben Barnes on 68 minutes before United wrapped up the win on 71 minutes, a lovely looping cross from Griffiths flew perfectly for Mitchley who headed past Reid for his second and United's third for 3-0.

Mitchley could have completed his hat-trick two minutes later but saw a shot cannon off the post, Grogan also hit the post too from close range a few minutes later. Mitchley continued in pursuit of a hat-trick with Reid denying him on 79 minutes.

Town looked for some consolation and late on went achingly close, ,clever play from Jennings saw him find substitute Kevin Exell who beat Barnes but saw his joy denied by a superb goal-line clearance by Preston.

The final whistle minutes later saw United complete a superb week on the road and open their league campaign in style ahead of next week's huge FA Cup trip to face Stafford Rangers.

Runcorn Town - Reid, Turner, Roxburgh, McGivern, James, Tierney, Holt (Webster 81), Jennings, Buckley, Cox (Exell 62), Holsgrove (Antoine 62). Subs not used- Ward, Dursley.

Skelmersdale United - Barnes, Herbert, Preston, Murphy. Grogan (Glennon 80), Peet, J.Grimshaw (T.Grimshaw 80), Ellams, Mitchley, Griffiths, Croughan (Jones 87). Subs not used- Webb, Wainwright. Att-126.