A MUCH weakened Atherton LR were never in with a shout at Vauxhall Motors, going down 4-1.

Manager Steve Plant was forced into a late re-shuffle with the non-arrival of several senior players.

Among the changes was striker Danny Pilling taking the goalkeeper's jersey!

Vauxhall immediately went for the kill and were two up before the arrival of LR's missing players.

LR looked stronger after the break with Jimmy Flood, Steve Cunningham and Chris Brookes giving the home defence a hard time. But, in a breakaway, Vauxhall added No 3.

Five minutes from time, from a super through-ball, John Paul Hughes held off a defender to ridle home from 30 yards.

The joy was short-lived as Vauxhall bounced right back to score again.

In midweek LR lost 3-2 against undefeated Fleetwood Freeport in the NWTL Floodlit Cup (1st round), almost overcoming a three-goal interval deficit with a storming second half show. Goals from Brookes and Cunningham, who also had several close calls.

The game between Atherton Colls and Clitheroe was postponed.

LEIGH BOROUGH won 4-3 at Poacher with Scott Lewis MoM. Goald from Edwards 2, Heapy and Lumb.

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