WITH no sides to be relegated from the NWCL's second division this season there seemed little to play for but Bacup were stalled by an eager Castleton side.

With no clubs coming through from the feeder leagues there was no pressure, but Oldham Town will finish as the league's basement club following their defeat on Saturday at Chadderton and Castleton finally moved off the bottom of the league with their victory at Bacup on Saturday.

Gabriels had been bottom since September but an excellent run of results in the end of season run-in has seen them pick up 17 points out of their last seven matches.

However, Bacup boss Brent Peters, pictured, was far from happy.

"We should have had enough in the locker room to beat a side like Castleton," he said.

"I was not there for the first half as I had to take my son Martin to a trial game, but it was obvious we had been flat throughout the first half.

"We picked up in the second half and two decisions cost us victory.

"But decision against us or not, I have to question my players' attitude in the first half and then in the second half we were just too rash around the box.

"I am disappointed because we should have had three points against a team, who, while they have had a good run, are not a good side."

A deflection off defender Ian McClelland as he tracked a through ball gifted Gabriels a first half lead as keeper Andrew Quinton was left in no-man's-land.

Bacup could have hit back in the second half but they were denied by poor finishing and two calls by the officials.

Peters changed the gameplan five minutes into the second period with Stuart Farnell coming on to make a third striker and the substitute was unlucky when his effort on goal was deemed not to have crossed the line.

Jason Lanns and Nicky Taylor then failed to put away good chances and Bacup were made to pay in the last minute.

Lanns got to the by-line and pulled the ball back for Farnell to score only for a goal-kick to be given as the linesman flagged the ball had gone out of play before the cross.

BACUP...0 CASTLETON GABRIELS...1