BACUP Borough responded to fierce criticism from manager Brent Peters in the best possible way.

The West View side created a glut of chances against lowly Squires Gate, but two goals from Dave Gray and an Ian McLellan screamer proved to be enough to earn the points.

Bacup set the pace as Nicky Taylor put a good cross into the box but Paul Thompson miscued his shot and the ball went wide of the angle, before a defender appeared to handle McLellan's drive on the line but appeals for a penalty were turned down.

Thompson went close on a number of occasions but Gray managed to find the net on the half-hour after Micky Charlton won header deep in defence. The ball was passed upfield and Gray scored from a one-on-one with the keeper.

BACUP BOROUGH ...2 SQUIRES GATE ...1