BACUP'S shot-shy forward line drew a blank as Brent Peters' men slumped to a disappointing defeat against rivals Castleton.

Bacup had all the play in the opening half but couldn't make their pressure count.

Nicky Taylor did have the ball in the net in the 27th minute but his effort was ruled out for off-side. And the same player was guilty of two more glaring misses along with new striker Sean Whorlow, who failed to beat the keeper when left one-on-one.

But Borough couldn't break the deadlock despite dominating the first half and that allowed Gabs to get back in the game after the break. The visitors looked solid at the back despite their deficiencies up front but it was Gabs who took the lead when central defender Stuart Walters sliced a cross from the left into his own with half an hour left.

That proved a hammer blow and the home side should have increased their lead in the closing stages but some poor finishing spared Borough's blushes.

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