FC United’s surge toward the UniBond Premier League play-offs came to an abrupt end with a crushing 3-0 defeat at Buxton.

The Silverlands club took the lead on 17 minutes through Kieran Lugsden and Lee Morris doubled their advantage nine minutes later.

Mark Reed seeled the win seven minutes from time, leaving the Rebel Reds in 10th place, eight points away from the play-off places.

Leigh Genesis, meanwhile, capitalised on their 5-1 thrashing of Chorley with an excellent 2-0 win at Trafford.

In-form striker Jordan Stepien — who notched a hat-trick against Chorley — had his shooting boots on again when he broke the deadlock with 31 minutes remaining.

He provided the two-goal cushion from the penalty spot in the last minute.

Genesis’s UniBond Division One rivals Radcliffe Borough, in 10th place, are two places and seven points behind Leigh but have played three games less and they did their late-season charge no harm with a 2-1 win at Warrington Town, who were also pushing towards the play-offs.

Gerry Luczka’s men had in-form duo Ben Wharton and Adam Roscoe — who have notched 15 and 13 goals respectively so far this season — to thank for their win, although Warrington’s Chris Gahgan might have scored a second equaliser from the penalty spot, but he skewed the last-gasp kick wide.

Radcliffe look to continue their climb up the table tomorrow night when they face Mossley at Stainton Park.