A Kevin Gonzalez brace ensured Ilkley’s unbeaten run was extended to six games at Runcorn Town on Tuesday evening, with the visitors eventually running out 3-0 winners.

It comes after the Baht’atters’ 1-0 away win at Shelley on Saturday and they now sit firmly within the play-off race in 6th place, so an exciting finale to the season is sure to unravel.

Despite the scoreline suggesting it was a plain sailing Tuesday evening for the visitors, the hosts made it difficult for Ilkley during the first half and they could have found themselves ahead if it weren’t for a fine double-save from the visiting keeper, Moorhouse.

The Town stopper got down low to deny Djabi, and then the following effort from Kennington, which was met by appreciation from both sets of fans.

With the clock ticking down, it would be the visitors who opened the scoring in first half stoppage time.

Ilkley broke quickly following a Runcorn free-kick and found inform forward Gonzalez, who steadied his nerve before beating his man and firing a low strike beyond the reach of the hosts’ goalkeeper.

The Baht’atters were beginning to smell blood after the interval and so nearly doubled their lead two minutes into the second half.

A flick on from the goalscorer was met by Tom Smith, but he failed to connect with the ball properly and dragged his shot wide.

However, minutes later Gonzalez was not to pass up his next opportunity as he doubled his side’s lead to claim his 15th league goal of the season.

The visitors were afforded plenty of space to pick the right pass and once again they fed Gonzalez who made no mistake in finishing off the attack expertly.

With Runcorn pushing for a way back into the game, Ilkley put their foot on the gas and were able to put an end to the contest on the 67th minute through Edward Croft.

Hunt worked his way up the touchline and got in behind the home side’s defence far too easily, before squaring the ball across the area where Croft was on hand to tap in for Ilkley’s third of the game.

It was the Baht’atters’ most convincing display in recent weeks, particularly away from home where they were able to control proceedings for large parts of the contest.

With four victories in their last six games, the other two games resulting in draws, Ilkley will have full belief that they can make the play-off places. They currently sit four points off Route One Rovers, who occupy the final place, but they do have two games in hand on their West Yorkshire rivals.

Up next for the Baht’atters is a trip to Steeton a week on Saturday, as they have an absent gameweek this time around.