Hinckley United 1, Burscough 0

Jan 14 2008 by Neil Leatherbarrow, Liverpool Daily Post

BURSCOUGH manager Liam Watson sent his injury-ravaged Linnets to Leicestershire and although they came back pointless, better finishing in the latter stages might have meant a different outcome.

Despite being without nine players, Burscough began well in the Blue Square North fixture and Brian Moogan sent a free-kick skimming just wide.

Hinckley took the lead in the 18th minute. A left-wing Kyle Storer corner reached the far post where Richard Lavery headed powerfully at goal. Sean Clancy cleared but the assistant’s raised flag signalled a goal.

The heavy Marston Stadium pitch and the physical strength of the hosts were always going to make it difficult for a young Burscough team. But they had an appeal for a penalty waved away after Farrell Kilbane was sent sprawling.

Home number 10 Leon Kelly was sent off after he felled Clancy. Adam Flynn saw a shot slip through the arms of home keeper Sean Bowles, but agonisingly it bobbled inches wide.

Clancy put one over the top from 15 yards before James Dunn was wide from a Matt Parry cross as the home team held on.