Radcliffe Borough...0 Leek Town...1

A MOMENTARY lapse of concentration cost Radcliffe Borough dearly as they went down to another depressing home defeat in what is rapidly turning into a season of despair.

The Boro have still to win at home in the league this season and this latest defeat puts added pressure on them for their trip to Rossington Main in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Defeat there would virtually end Boro's season before it has really got started as well as cutting off a vital cash supply line.

That shouldn't happen. Rossington Main, Saturday's opponents, are currently languishing at the bottom of the Northern Counties East Division One table, the equivalent of two divisions below the Boro, but, then again, it is the cup.

If Boro play the same way as they did on Tuesday night they shouldn't go far wrong. For while they were beaten, their general play was a lot brighter than it has been recently with signs that they were getting back to the attractive passing style they are known for.

However, the most important aspect of their play, goals and goal chances, were still in short supply and that is a problem that must be addressed immediately if Radcliffe are to rescue anything from a season seemingly destined for the merely mediocre, or even worse.

Boro were without thigh injury victim David Bean and striker Neill Hardy was also reduced to the ranks of spectator with Ian Lunt starting the game up front alongside Jody Banim.

As early as the second minute a chance fell to Boro when the ball came to Eamon Elliott yards from goal, but his shot was saved by Leek keeper Phil Morgan.

Morgan got his body in the way of another shot, this time from Banim ten minutes later and Boro continued their bright opening spell when Martin Diggle headed just over the bar from a free-kick.

It didn't last though and after a trademark Banim dribble into the penalty area ended with a shot into the side netting in the 18th minute the rest of the half failed to produce any goalmouth action worthy of note.

Leek had managed just one shot in that first period -- and that was wide of the mark, but they were bang on target within seconds of the restart.

They caught Boro napping as Chris Freestone headed over Danny Hurst in the Boro goal after a lightning raid and cross.

The goal was a severe shock to the system and it could have been worse if Nicky Spooner hadn't been on hand five minutes later to scoop another Freestone shot away from in front of goal.

Boro had the bulk of the play after that, but failed to create the chances with a Spooner shot into the side netting and a Banim shot that cleared the bar the best of their efforts.

Manager Kevin Glendon rang the changes, with Barrie Keeling coming on for Scott Wilson after he had been booked for dissent in the 65th minute. Richard Landon also replaced Ian Lunt up front in the 73rd minute.

Banim tried hard to find a route to goal as full-time approached, but like everyone else connected with Boro he ended the evening frustrated as their struggle to come up with that elusive first home league win of the season goes on.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Hurst 6, Battersby 7, Whealing 6, Kelly 6, Diggle 7, Wilson 6, Elliott 7, Spooner 7, Lunt 6, Banim 7, Price 6. Substitutes: Keeling (for Wilson 65 mins) 6, Landon (for Lunt, 73 mins). Not used: Kay.