HARWOOD'S hopes of ending a dismal sequence of crushing defeats were blown apart by a killer strike from Lee Cooper in first half injury time.

The Reds were still in the hunt until Cooper pounced on a right-wing cross and blasted past Andy Johnston to put the Tamesiders 2-0 up going in at the break.

That was harsh on Denis Underwood's men who now look doomed to relegation despite putting up a decent show against Dave Pace's promotion chasers on a tricky surface in the opening 45 minutes.

It was the Bloods who made the brighter start as veteran striker Mick Jones brought an acrobatic stop out of Andy Johnston.

And they went one up on 28 minutes when Andy Green met a near post free kick with a glancing header.

But Harwood refused to lie down and should have been back on level terms on 36 minutes but Martin Horsfield's fierce snap-shot was blocked and Dave Bennett spooned the rebound over the bar.

Johnston pulled off a superb reflex save to deny Cooper before the Droylsden man got his revenge and fired in the all-important second right on half time.

The home side dominated after the break and Johnston again came to the rescue with a cracking stop to keep out a Carl Holmes effort.

But Anthony Wright made it 3-0 on 75 minutes when he picked his spot after latching onto a clever through ball.

Harwood did have a late chance to bag a deserved consolation but substitute Warren Peake's shot came back off the post.

Rossendale United's NWTL Division One clash with Leek CSOB was postponed last night due to a waterlogged pitch.

Clitheroe are back on the trophy trail tonight when they take on St Helens Town in a re-arranged NWTL Challenge Cup third round replay at Shawbridge.

The tie, which should have gone ahead on Monday night, kicks off at 7.30pm.

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