WITH Unibond Division 1 table-toppers Lincoln United showing the first signs of faltering, second-placed Radcliffe Boro can apply even more pressure with a three point return from tonight's home game with Harrogate Town.

TWO goals from Ian Lunt in the last four minutes earned Boro a 3-1 victory at Flixton on Saturday while Lincoln went down 2-1 at home to Ashton United.

This closed the gap at the top to seven points with Boro having a game in hand. Manager Kevin Glendon has virtually a full squad to select from with only long term absentees Frankie Bunn, Andy Kilner and Danny Donachie unavailable. Recent signing Neil Moss made an excellent debut coming on as substitute on Saturday and could be considered for a place in the starting line-up.

Atherton LR midfielder Kenny Quigg returns to action after a three week holiday break and could step straight back into the side for the FA UMBRO Trophy 1st Round replay at Moor Green.

Mattie Brooks, who has been in dominant form this season, has started a three match suspension after getting sent off in the home FA Cup game with Bamber Bridge. He was relegated to the subs bench on Saturday for the 1-1 home draw with the Birmingham based-side but his replacement Tony Pemberton took a bad knock and is rated doubtful for the replay.

Rovers were denied in the first meeting by an equaliser four minutes into injury time but it should have been well beyond any doubt long before that. A multitude of chances went begging and similar misfortune tonight will cost LR dear.

Atherton Colls go into the 2nd Leg of the NWCL Floodlit Cup 1st Round tie at Chadderton with a 1-0 lead from the home leg and the psychological advantage of having beaten the Oldham-based side 3-1 on Saturday.

That game required extra time but top striker Graham Dodd showed yet again his finishing prowess with two late goals to seal a Challenge Cup 2nd Round trip to Penrith scheduled for Saturday December 21. Dougie Owen made a goalscoring return for Colls at the weekend after a period at Turton.

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