ANOTHER successful night for Bacup Borough was marred by an incident involving Ian McLelan.

The Bacup captain sustained a broken collar bone when he was involved in a car accident on his way to the game.

Manager Brent Peters said: "Thankfully the accident wasn't serious, but he has broken his collar bone, which puts him out for the season."

But Bacup put the disappointing news behind them to record a 1-0 win, although Ashton made them work for the three points.

Again Peters' side started well, with Karl Stanley's positive run ending with him cutting inside and shooting just over the bar.

Martin Peters then made a clever lay-off to release Dave Gray, who unselfishly found Stanley but his effort was cleared for a corner before failing to react with the net at his mercy after Peters' curler hit the bar.

Bacup finally broke the deadlock on 33 minutes through Stuart Telfer.

Steve Stott sprayed the ball wide to Gray, who did well to get past two defenders before drawing the keeper, placing the ball over him for Telfer to nod into an empty net.

Damian Moran had to be at his best on the stroke of half-time to keep Bacup's lead intact as he cleared off the line from an Ashton corner.

Bacup were forced into changes in the second half with Gray being replaced by Mickey Bartholomew, Nicky Taylor came on for Peters and Lee Anderson was replaced by Lee Kershaw, who was instrumental in breaking up any potential threat Ashton posed.

Peters added: "This was another big win for us but it was achieved in difficult circumstances.

"But the lads dug in and did well to keep our promotion hopes well on course."

BACUP BOROUGH ...1 ASHTON TOWN ...0