Radcliffe Borough bowed out of the FA Cup on Saturday despite a fantastic performance against high-flying Premier Division side Skelmersdale United in their first round qualifier.

The Stainton Park men were 4-1 down with seven minutes remaining but gave their opponents a scare by scoring two late goals.

Skelmersdale took the lead in the ninth minute, Aidan Kirkbride smashing the ball past a helpless Chris Cheetham after Richard Smith misjudged a header.

Captain Kenny Strickland almost doubled the hosts’ lead four minutes later when his free-kick hit the crossbar and a minute later Richard Bodie fired over from the edge of the box.

The pressure paid off and after good work down the left by Josh Sumner, Michael Monaghan scored to make it 2-0 to Skelmersdale.

Boro slowly got into the game and Martin Fearon in the Skelmersdale goal made a good save to deny Chris Mason.

On the half hour, Danny Lambert’s cross from the left was met by Sam Grimshaw who volleyed over the bar. Daniel Wisdom almost made it three for Skelmersdale but his shot hit the crossbar and bounced away to safety.

Boro had Cheetham to thank for two outstanding saves in the opening 10 minutes of the second half. The first was a great one-handed reaction save from Phil Mooney, the second denying Strickland a definite goal.

On the hour mark Boro conceded a free kick on the edge of their box, this time Strickland gave Cheetham no chance as he put the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Substitute Dave Sherlock reduced the deficit for Boro after he was put through by fellow sub Michael McGinlay, but the unmarked Danny Mitchley restored Skelmersdale’s three-goal advantage with seven minutes remaining.

Boro refused to be beaten and continued to push forward. Thomas Hulme crossed from the left but Chris Mason could only head the ball weakly into the arms of the keeper.

Boro got their reward when the hardworking Sam Howell put McGinlay through and he slotted the ball past the keeper to ensure an exciting final few minutes.

Fearon did well to deny McGinlay a second goal, before Danny Lafferty reduced the deficit to one goal with a shot from the edge of the box, but Boro were unable to find the equaliser.