RADCLIFFE’S unbeaten start to their league campaign came to an end with a 2-1 defeat at home to Glossop North End.

Radcliffe headed into Tuesday night’s match with a six-game unbeaten run in Evo-Stik West, though they had tasted defeat in cup matches against Lancaster City and Curzon Ashton.

Glossop started the brighter of the two teams as Jack Tuohy raced through on goal but hit his shot wide of Ollie Martin’s far post.

Radcliffe’s Elliott Rokka then hit a free kick that deflected off the wall and clipped the post.

The Boro had another golden chance as Raul Correia broke through the Glossop defence but after he rounded keeper Russell Saunders he managed to recover and make the save.

Glossop almost punished Boro when Darrhyl Mason pounced on Callum Grogan’s sloppy back pass but he could only direct his effort against Martin’s post.

The away side continued to press and were rewarded when Jack Tuohy directed his free kick into the corner of the goal.

Things went from bad to worse for Jon Macken’s side just five minutes later when Tuohy’s corner was headed home by Mason.

Boro were looking for a response but it took until four minutes into the second half when Rokka crashed a powerful strike against the bar.

Boro’s uphill task was made even steeper when Prince Haywood put in a strong challenge in the midfield and was sent off.

Glossop nearly took advantage of their extra man four minutes later.

A corner was flicked on towards the back post where Mason headed over.

Boro did fight back despite the one-man disadvantage in the 70th minute when Scott Metcalfe whipped in a cross and Ben Wharton beat his man and knocked it beyond Saunders.

Radcliffe continued to press late in the game as Tunde Owolabi set up Rokka who hit his first-time shot wide of the post.

Boro’s late pressure saw Grogan direct a header wide and Rokka look to have been dragged down by the last man as he broke through in the final minute of stoppage time.

The referee waved play on much to the bemusement of the home side, who fell to their first league loss.

On Saturday Boro had made the perfect start in their FA Cup second qualifying-round tie at home to Curzon Ashton, captain Kinglsey Williams driving in after a minute.

But Joe Guest levelled midway through the first half and, though Martin made a smart save at a penalty from fellow keeper Cameron Mason, Niall Cummins hit Curzon’s winning goal in their 2-1 victory early in the second half.