IAN LUNT is back in the Radcliffe Borough ranks as manager Kevin Glendon desperately tries to put some flesh on the bones of his severely depleted squad.

The much-loved striker left Stainton Park earlier this season when Glendon began his pruning operation in preparation for the 2001-2002 campaign.

But Lunt was not enjoying life at his new club, Salford City, and has come back to the Boro at just the right time. He will be available for selection this week.

Boro went down at Workington, their second defeat in the space of three days after a taxing four games in eight days spell.

Radcliffe went into the game at Borough Park with 45-year-old Ian Senior in goal, because of an injury to regular No.1 Danny Hurst, and Mark Carter, 40, Kevin Glendon 39, and Glendon's assistant, Mike Farrelly, 37, on the bench.

All three played some part too as Workington took advantage of jaded Boro to run up a much-needed win of their own after two successive defeats.

Senior might be a bit long in the tooth now, but he showed he has still got what it takes, with a brilliant save after just seven minutes.

Workington defender Wayne Johnson got on the end of a corner and his header looked to have goal written all over it until Senior took off to pull off a fine, flying save.

Workington goalkeeper Kevin Wolfe then showed what he could do when he stopped a 14th minute Scott Wilson header, then followed up as Wilson pounced on the rebound to save at the foot of a post.

Barry Irvine nodded in Gavin Skelton's pinpoint cross on 22 minutes for Workington's first goal and also grabbed a second following a 57th minute goalmouth scramble.

Glendon said afterwards that playing the game was farce as Boro were down to the bare bones after four games in eight days.

RADCLIFFE BOROUGH: Senior 6; Battersby 6, S Kelly 7, G Wilson 7, Price 7, Whealing 6, Walker 6, Dempsey 6, S Wilson 6, Hardy 6, Kissock 6. Substitutes: Carter (for Kissock, 45 minutes) 6, Farrelly (for Walker, 65) 6, Glendon (for Price 80).