BACUP and Rossendale Borough were beaten at home by Runcorn Linnets in the North West Counties Premier Division.

Linnets went ahead in the 14th minute as Matthew Atherton netted from the penalty spot, and they were 2-0 up 11 minutes later through Mark Houghton.

Atherton then netted his second goal of the game to make it 3-0 a minute after half time.

Simon Thompson pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute, but Borough’s Shane Birtles was shown a straight red card for a tackle in injury time.