Prescot Cables 1-0 Lancaster City

Missing a host of players the Dolly Blues named assistant manager Trevor Sinclair amongst just three substitutes.

City created few chances throughout the game with a defensive error with just five minutes remaining sealing the points for the hosts.

On another difficult surface with yet more gale force winds the match was a scrappy and largely action-less affair with both sides registering few efforts on goal through the 90 minutes.

Prescot had the best chance of the opening half, with Jack Phillips failing to test debutant keeper Michael Donlon in the City goal when in one-on-one.

The striker sent a wayward effort well over the bar, whilst at the other end Matty Poole overran the ball when sent through by Reece Pearce.

Donlon was sharp and impressed with a string of fine saves as the City backline restricted the hosts to long-range shots.

City had the chance of the match just after half-time to go in front but failed to take it.

Poole broke the offside trap after a fantastic through ball from Sam Bailey but hit his shot agonisingly wide of the far post. A late introduction of former England winger Sinclair failed to rouse the visitors who struggled to mount any meaningful efforts at goal for the rest of the period.

With just five minutes remaining a frustrating night turned into a disaster when Neil Marshall’s pass to Jacob Davis was closed down by Phillips.

The resultant heavy touch on the bobbly surface was intercepted and Phillips raced in to calmly slot the ball past Donlon to wrap up the much-needed points for the struggling Cables.

Despite the thread-bare squad and challenging conditions, this game could have easily swung the other way as more missed chances proved again to be the story of the Dolly Blues’ season.

Star Man: Michael Donlon. Impressive debut from the number two stopper.