Added Jan 7th 2008 -

Rothwell Town 0 - 1 Leighton Town

THIS was yet another game that Rothwell Town let slip away when their play deserved at least a point.

The loss came about in one moment of madness when a lack of concentration on 54 minutes allowed a long throw to bounce twice in the area and Peter Clifford scrambled the ball home at the near post.

It was a game of few goalscoring chances with most of the play taking place in the middle third.

Neither Ian Baker nor Steve Root were called upon very often, although Baker did make a fine save of a snapshot from Billy Perry.

The biggest cheer of the game came on 49 minutes when referee Mr Plowright, after receiving treatme nt from the Rothwell physio for the whole of half-time, finally decided he could not continue.

Mr Johnson took over the whistle and was replaced by Ian Rice on the touchline.

Rothwell had a very good shout for a penalty turned down with seven minutes left when Mickey Tolton's run into the area was brought to a halt by two players who took him out. But Mr Johnson waved play on.

Bones manager Ian Jackson said of the defeat: "A single mistake has cost us yet again. They never really troubled us throughout the whole game and we dominated possession."

"I didn't think we created enough to win the game but a draw would have been a fair result.

"It was a spirited performance by the lads but it's very disappointing that one lapse has meant we come away with nothing."

Rothwell must now gather themselves for tomorrow night's game at Cecil Street where they meet Rushall Olympic.

Rothwell: Baker, Bridgeford, Purton, Greasley, Kattus, Flannigan, Tolton, Boyle-Chong, Turner, Stead (sub McInally, 75 mins), Koriya (sub Blake, 61 mins). Subs not used: Keddy, Grant.

Leighton: Root, Faga, Cashman, Cunningham, Clifford, Howley, Thomas, McNulty, Perry, Hassan (sub Hamilton, 82 mins), Wilson. Subs not used: Marman, Ord, Johnson.

Referee: Mr Plowright

Goals: Clifford (54 mins, 0-1)

Booking: Wilson (dissent)

Attendance: 114

Chairman's man of the match: Ben Greasley (didn't make a mistake)

Match Rating: 5

Thanks to the Evening Telegraph.