Lancaster City (0) 0

Radcliffe (1) 1

M Jones 39

UniBond Division One North


The home side had the majority of the possession but with Radlicffe's five-man defence proving almost inpenetrable, City were limited to half chances.

And when they scored six minutes before the break through Mark Jones, Radcliffe had got exactly what they wanted – as their celebrations at full-time showed.

It was a frustrating night, summed up in the 76th minute by Ryan Elderton's header that hit the post and was cleared.

Barrie Stimpson brought in new signing Lenny Reid for his debut on the right wing and he was soon into the action, cutting inside and firing a shot which keeper Phil Priestley smothered.

Reid looked lively and Lee Dodgson was dangerous down the opposite wing but strikers Mark Jackson and Dave Foster didn't get much change out of the Radcliffe back three, who were well marshalled by ex-Crewe man Lee Unsworth.

The chances were coming for the players who broke from deep with Elderton getting involved from left-back, beating one man but pulling his shot wide after an intricate City move.

Radcliffe had some dangerous runners too and Mark Jones served notice of what was to come later in the half when he shot wide from the edge of the box.

It was the 38th minute when he had his next effort, rounding off a good move down the right, sweeping home a pass from wing-back Gary Sampson.

City's best effort of the half came after a raking long pass by Neil Uberschar found Jackson but his header looped over Priestley and wide of the post.

The second half got off to a slow start with Radcliffe able to keep City at arms length. There were flashes of danger for the visitors, Priestley back-pedalling to tip over a cross from Uberschar while substitute Tom Entwisle shot wide soon after coming on.

But it was Elderton who came closest, pushing forward to meet a cross from Jackson with a firm header that hit the woorwork.

City went with three in attack and sub Paul Fildes had a couple of efforts that went off target but there proved to be no way through the Radcliffe rearguard.

Lancaster City: Thornley 7, Uberschar 7 (Fildes 77), Elderton 7, Heffernan 6, Marshall 7 (Entwisle 65), Stringfellow 7, Reid 7, Ward 6 (Helliwell 65), Foster 6, Jackson 6, Dodgson 7. Subs not used: Haddow, Price.

Radcliffe Borough: Priestley, Sampson, Hill, Kelly, Unsworth, Dawson, Forrest, M Jones, G Jones, Oates, Chappell (Brooks 50). Subs not used: Manning, Whealing.

Attendance: 195.
Referee: Bernard Law.

STAR MAN: Lee Dodgson – no-one really shone for City although the winger was lively but came up against a solid Radcliffe defence.