Non-league round up by John Bullen IT was always on the cards that when Radcliffe Boro's amazing winning sequence came to an end, it would be at Eastwood Town.

Seven victories on the trot had Boro buzzing, but Saturday's game down in Nottingham was always approached with feelings of trepidation.

Those misgivings proved well founded as Boro went down to a 2-1 Unibond League Division One defeat.

Club press secretary Ian Hannay said: "To say Eastwood is a bogus ground for us would be an understatement.

"We always seem to play very well there yet come away with nothing and it's not the first time they have brought a good run for us to an end."

The game followed recent clashes between the two with Boro playing the better football, controlling possession but losing out in the finishing department.

The home side opened the scoring on 27 minutes when a free kick that had been cleared by Boro was signalled by the referee for a retake and this time dispatched into the top corner.

On 33 minutes, Neil Hardy picked the ball up 40 yards from goal, advanced four or five paces and unleashed an unstoppable shot for the Boro leveller.

Before the break, Hardy was denied by a good save from the Town goalkeeper, Simon Carden's chip passed just over the crossbar and, immediately after the interval, Ian Lunt brought another quality block out of the overworked home keeper.

The decisive second goal came Eastwood's way on 63 minutes from impressive front-runner Nicky Kennerdale.

The man-of-the-match for Boro was midfielder Scott Wilson.

Manager Kevin Glendon and his side have little time to wait for a chance to get back to winning ways with a home clash at Stainton Park tonight against Winsford United

Ramsbottom United suffered a 3-1 home defeat by Northern League outfir Easington Colls in the FA Vase First Round Proper.

Club secretary John Maher said: "They had four chances and scored three. We got in double figures and scored one.

"They gave us on object lesson in finishing and some none-too-clever defending.

"We were 1-0 down at the break but levelled through Russell Brierley.

"Then the only way you can describe it is naive.

"Instead of sitting back for a while, hanging on to what you've got and taking a good look at it, we went for the kill and it ended in disaster.

"They it us hard."

Brierley's 11th goal of the season came following good work from David Yorke-Robinson but Easington's second on 76 minutes was a double blow for the Rams.

Defender Dave Roach was badly injurd in the incident and stretchered off.

The killer third goal came on 87 minutes as United got caught out chasing the game.

Centre back Mike Smith was named as United's man-of-the match.

Atherton LR crashed out in a heavy 6-1 defeat at Marske United.

In the North West Counties League, both home pitches were passed fit for play in the morning, Atherton Colls at home to Woodley Sports in Division One and Daisy Hill to Formby in Division Two by a local referee.

But, when the appointed match officials arrived in the afternoon, they refused to play and the the games were postponed.

Colls manager Alan Lord quit his position at Alder House at the weekend.

Assistant Chris O'Brien will take charge of team affairs whilst officials at the club assess options. BEN Star Turn Mike Smith

Ramsbottom Utd Leading Goalscorer Chart

Russell Brierley -- Ramsbottom Utd 11

Mark Heyes -- Ramsbottom United 8

Neil Hardy -- Radcliffe Boro 6

Barry Massay -- Atherton LR 6

Luke Hardman -- Atherton C 5

Ian Lunt -- Radcliffe Boro 5