BACUP'S injury-hit squad was further depleted in the wake of their 2-1 defeat at Atherton Collieries.

Matthew Cross will need an operation after he badly cut his hand before Saturday's game and meant Borough boss Brent Peters was forced into a late reshuffle.

Brian Welch, who was returning from injury, took six minutes to fire Bacup in front following a perfect cross from Karl Stanley.

Bacup were dominating possession, until the fourteenth minute when a Bacup defender allowed a simple clearence to go under his foot and Shaw got enough space to finish.

Two minutes later the home side were in front when, following a throw in, the ball was switched from one side of the pitch to the other to Green who struck the ball from thirty five yards out which screamed into the roof of the net.

Despite this set back Bacup dominated possession for the rest of the game but sadly could not get the break through to take anything from the match.

Manager Peters said: "Injuries are part of football and when you are missing your experienced, quality players it is difficult but one would hope that the lads coming in would show that they are more than capable of keeping the shirt. Sadly, this was not the case in this game."