Bacup Borough 1 FC United 2

By Lancashire Telegraph newsdesk

BACUP came so close to taking something from the rebels at a sun-kissed Westview at the weekend.

Karl Marginson's visitors were awarded an early penalty when the referee adjudged that Bacup keeper Billy Carrington had brought Shaun Roscoe down in the area.

Carrington escaped punishment and made a great save from a weak Stuart Rudd penalty.

But it was Bacup who took the lead when Brent Peters' side were awarded a penalty of their own.

And Borough striker Stuart Shepherd made no mistake from the spot to give the home side the lead in front of over 1,500 people at the Brian Boys Stadium.

A physical first half saw Rob Nugent replaced after a nasty head injury and from the resulting free kick United found an equaliser.

With his back to goal, Rory Patterson flicked the ball up, turned and hit a left-footed shot into the top corner from all of 30 yards.

United then took the lead with just a minute left in the first-half.

The impressive Jerome Wright beat his marker down the left to fire a wicked cross into the box and allow Rudd to steer the ball home.

Bacup's defence stood strong in the second-half as the Reds looked to increase their lead.

But the home side failed to find a cutting edge of their own and in the end the one goal advantage was more than enough for United.