LANCASTER City were taught a real lesson in football on Tuesday night when they were soundly beaten by a top class Skelmersdale side.

City boss Barrie Stimpson frankly conceded that the score-line flattered his side and only served to highlight their defensive frailties.

He said: "Getting beat 5-2 has actually flattered us but it hasn't taught us anything we did not know. The boy's at the back are playing well and up-front we have goals in us but I need defensive cover."

The Dolly Blues got off to a promising start when Mike Rushton rose at the far post to nod them in front from a Neil Marshall cross.
After a good pre-season Rushton has kept his form and impressed in City's opening games.

After their early lead City's fortunes took a sharp downturn.

Skelmersdale's talented duo of Sean McConville and George Donnelly were a constant threat and City simply could not retain possession.

On 15 minutes the away side equalised. A City attack broke down and Skelmersdale countered at pace leaving Donnelly with little to do but slide the ball past the on-rushing Mark Thornley.

After the equaliser the away side seemed to grow in confidence.
They consistently probed and harried the City backline while keeping their own defences solid.

They finally took the lead on thirty minutes through a quality free-kick from McConville.

He stepped up from twenty yards and deftly curled the ball into the bottom corner.

The away side again seemed to kick up a gear and should have gone in at half time with a bigger lead after wasting a series of chances.
Lancaster made a change at half time bringing on Aaron Helliwell for Dominic Ward.

The half-time break did not slow Skelmersdale's momentum and they caught City cold with another rapid counter attack to increase their lead.

Chris Almond broke down the left and slid the ball across to McConville to grab his second.

Away skipper Michael White compounded City's misery when he rose highest to head a well placed free kick into the back of the net.

The high pace continued and a minute later a double dose of penalty drama provided City with a glimmer of hope. For the first visiting 'keeper Robbie Holcroft pulled down City striker Paul Fildes and the referee, Gordon Johnson, duly pointed to the spot.

Fildes stepped up to take the penalty and fired it straight at Holcroft who then produced a stunning save to deny him the rebound.

From the resulting corner Helliwell was unfairly challenged and the busy official awarded another penalty.

This time Lee Dodgson placed the ball on the spot and dispatched it into the bottom left corner.

However it was false hope and in reality City was out of the game 'keeper Thornley made some good saves and kept the score line respectable but City simply could not get on terms with their classy opposition.

They were again hurt on 76 minutes when the away side killed the game off in style.

Adam Birchall seemed to dance through half the City side with ease before they could only half clear.

The ball landed at the feet of left-back Steve Brockley who curled the ball past Thornley, who after his previous heroics would be disappointed not to have done better.

The tough start to the season continues for the Dolly Blues as Halifax Town visit Giant Axe for the first time on Saturday.

After shipping seven goals in two games shoring up his defences for their arrival is paramount for City manager Stimpson.

Lancaster City: Thornley 6, Rigby 6 (Ubershcar 65mins), Marshall 6, Heffernan 6, Greenwood 6, Stringfellow 6, Rushton 7, Ward 6 (Helliwell 45mins), Foster 6, Fildes 6, Dodgson 6 (Jackson 68mins)
Substitutes: Entwistle, Helliwell, Jackson, Uberschar, Price
Goals: Rushton 3,Dodgson 53 (P]

Skelmersdale United: Holcroft, Duffy, Brockley, Foster, White, Wade, McConville, Birchall, Houghton, Donnelly, Almond
Substitutes: Hardwick, Prescott, Kelly, Turner, Glaysher
Goals: Donnelly 15, McConville 31, 46, White 52, Brockley 76

Referee: Gordon Johnson
Man of the Match: Mike Rushton, skillful and determined.