Alfreton Town 1, Burscough 2

Apr 14 2008 by Neil Leatherbarrow, Liverpool Daily Post

BURSCOUGH returned to form with a typical fighting away performance in the UniBond Premier at a muddy Impact Arena on Saturday.

The Linnets ended a three- match losing run thanks to a last-gasp goal from ace marksman Ciaran Kilheeney, after the hosts had wiped out an earlier Kilheeney strike.

Burscough started the game strongly and fully justified taking the lead in the 16th minute. Sean Clancy found Allan Smart and the big Scotsman created the space to set up Kilheeney.

Adam Flynn, Craig Noone and Smart all went close for Burscough before the interval.

It was Alfreton’s turn to inflict the pressure after the restart and generally Burscough showed some fine fortitude in weathering the storm.

Alfreton did finally level matters in the 64th minute when Kris Bowler’s corner from the right found the head of Chris Walton. Walton got plenty of purchase on the ball and as it bounced up on the line it was cleared, only to be judged a goal by an alert referees assistant.

Within a minute, Alfreton wasted a great chance to take the lead as Paul Clayton fired wide at the far post.

Burscough manager Liam Watson made three substitutions in the 73rd minute and it was crucial to the outcome of the game. Burscough began to restore their earlier dominance and in the 85th minute Earl Davis was only kept out by an acrobatic save from home keeper Lawrence Matthewson.

Matthewson had no such luck in the 90th minute. Farrell Kilbane swept the ball across the park and it was helped on to Kilheeney who was poaching behind the home back-four, Kilheeney then unleashed a vicious effort low into the far corner to win the day for Burscough.

ALFRETON: Matthewson, Hall (Gray 19), Brown, Walton, Butler, Wilson, Glass, Bowler, Cusworth, Clayton, Warne. Subs: St Juste, Sutcliffe, Peet, McDonald.

BURSCOUGH: McMillan, Flynn, Clancy, Davis, Kilbane, A Moogan (Price 73), McCulloch (Parry, 73), McGinn (Fitzhenry 73), Smart, Kilheeney, Noone.

REFEREE: Phil Bramley (Leeds).