RADCLIFFE Boro's charge up the Unibond League Division One table faltered on Saturday in a rather dour 1-0 defeat at Kendal Town.

Five wins on the bounce had hoisted Boro from the bottom two to just below midway but the victory sequence ended against a Lakeside club heavily haunted by relegation.

Serious

The serious threat of the drop gave Kendal a committed edge that Radcliffe for once lacked and the vital goal came on 25 minutes when a harmless looking through ball ended in a mix up between keeper Danny Hurst and defender David Bean allowing Nick Rogan to score.

Boro played the ball around better in the second period and twice went close through substitute Mark Carter and once from Neil Hardy who put his effort over the crossbar when well placed.

Midfielder Scott Wilson won the man of the match vote. Radcliffe face another clash with a bottom two side tomorrow night with Congleton Town the visitors to Stainton Park.

Rams on the up after winning in style

THE slight frustration for Ramsbottom United in clocking up four consecutive victories has been that they haven't improved on ninth position in the NWCL Division One table.

That could all be abo ut to change now as the gap on the leading eight clubs has been reduced to just one point after Saturday's storming 5-1 win at Flixton.

The first half showing was far from vintage with the only cause for cheer being Chris Brookes free kick opener. The second half was a different story with Steve Orrell getting the second, Neil Wallace stepping forward for the third and Russell Brierley putting home a penalty to give Flixton a mountain to climb.

They did hit back but Brierley struck an unstoppable volley for the fifth to leave the Rams relishing tomorrow night's home clash with next to bottom Great Harwood Town.

Vastly experienced midfielder Andy Grimshaw has left the club to take up a post as player/assistant manager with big rivals Rossendale United.

PTWO wins in five days have brought much needed cheer to Atherton Colls and widened the gap over the relegation places.

Tuesday's home 1-0 win over St Helens Town was followed on Saturday with a 2-0 home victory over Great Harwood.

Despite a quality first half show Colls failed to register on the scoresheet with striker Stuart Shepherd the culprit on three occasions. The visitors rarely threatened before Steve Brennan capitalised on a defensive lapse to put Colls in front on the hour mark.

On 89 minutes man of the match Ian Gibson spotted the keeper off his line and hit an amazing 45 yarder for the second goal.

The visitors suddenly found an extra gear and it needed two quality saves from Atherton keeper Andy Almond to make sure of all three points. Colls travel to Leek CSOB tomorrow night.

Weakenend LR still too good

DESPITE having seven players unavailable for a variety of reasons Atherton LR still proved to be too good for Holker Old Boys in a 1-0 home Division Two win.

Two players made impressive Crilly Park debuts, Mark Osmond signed from Mitchell Shackleton and Wayne Bridden from Ramsbottom United.

Luke Hardman got the only goal of the game on 35 minutes but it was keeper Steve Powell who picked up the man of the match award, two memorable saves highlighting a quality all round show.

Daisy let slip two goal lead

"We were guilty off taking our foot off the pedal," fumed Daisy Hill manager Brian Richardson after seeing his side throw away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 at a young Bootle side.

Ryan Cain got the first with a good strike across the keeper and another former Bolton County player Danny Wadeson struck from the edge of the area for the second.

Bootle bounced back quickly to level and the second half saw both sides cancel each other out.

Daisy Hill Reserves came back from a two goal deficit to beat Flixton 3-2 courtesy of goals from Phil Richardson, Neil Melling and Victor People. Tomorrow night LR entertain Formby whilst Daisy travel to Blackpool Mechanics with team boss Richardson promising a "shake up" after Saturday's costly complacency.