Bamber Bridge 4-1 Marine

Marine's defence of the Integro Doodson League Cup ended at the first hurdle on Tuesday night, as they were beaten 4-1 by Bamber Bridge at Irongate.

The Mariners must be wondering how they lost this game at all, never mind 4-1 as they missed a succession of first half chances, trailed 2-1 at the break and then saw Danny Mitchley's penalty saved early in the second half.

Brig were always lively coming forward and defended well, ultimately winning the tie by putting the ball in the net at crucial times.

Clive Smith came closest to opening the scoring in the early exchanges, his backpass for the homesters sailing past goalkeeper Steven James before rolling narrowly wide of the far post.

Mitchley and Jamie Horgan had decent chances for the Mariners but it was the Division One North side who took the lead, former Everton trainee Jamie Milligan stepping up to fire a well struck free kick over the defensive wall and in to the bottom corner on the quarter hour.

Mitchley brought a save from James with MJ Monaghan's shot from the rebound blocked by a last ditch clearance, before Obi Anoruo's cross from the right saw Monaghan guide a header wide of the target.

Brig doubled their lead on 28 minutes, Regan Linney getting behind the defence to slot past the advancing Calvin Hare in the Marine goal.

The Mariners were given a lifeline five minutes before the break, a well worked move down the right seeing Andy Nicholas set up Monaghan, who unselfishly squared for Mitchley to sidefoot his 16th goal of the season.

Mitchley had the chance to level the tie a couple of minutes in to the second half after Monaghan had been upended in the box, but James guessed correctly to block the resultant penalty kick.

The Mariners continued to press and enjoyed plenty of possession, but were caught at the back to concede a penalty with Milligan restoring the Lancashire side's two goal lead with twenty minutes left.

Linney put the result beyond doubt with the last kick of the game, intercepting a wayward pass to bear down on goal before tucking the ball past Hare.

Bamber Bridge: Steven James, Clive Smith, Chris Marlow, Matt Lawlor (Cap), Glenn Steel (Phil Doughty 45), Christian N'Guessan, Kitt Gregory, Regan Linney, Ben Wharton, Jamie Milligan (Stuart Vasey 70), Ramirez Howarth (Lawrance Hunter 70).

Unused subs: Alistair Waddecar, Simon Wiles. Cautions: Lawlor.

Marine: Calvin Hare, Josh Brizell (James Foley 34), Caleb Richards, Denzel Williams, Adam Hughes, Andy Nicholas, MJ Monaghan, Zac Thompson (Ryan O'Hare 66), Danny Mitchley (Cap), Obi Anoruo, Jamie Horgan (Warren Bellew 61).

Unused subs: James Short, Dean Porter (G/K). Cautions: Richards, Hughes.

Referee: Mr. A. Sykes; Assistants Mr. M. McQuillan, Mr. J. Morgan.

Attendance: 150.