After last season's miraculous run in the Emirates FA Cup, United's hopes for this season ended at the 1st Qualifying Round with a 2-0 loss to NPL Prem side Radcliffe at the Neuven Stadium.

The hosts started the brighter with Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro's cross saved by Ben Barnes while at the other end, Kenny Strickland drew a superb save from Cam Belford with a powerful free-kick.

Radcliffe continued to pressure with Bobby Grant sending an headed effort past the post before Akpa-Akpro forced a strong save from Barnes. The hosts had their defence to thank after both Danny Mitchley and Emini Adegbenro both had close range shots blocked.

Abdul Djalo tried his luck with an angled effort which resulted in a diving stop from Belford who denied a Strickland free-kick minutes later.

At the other end, Barnes starred with a stunning double save from point blank range but it proved to be a warning as Radcliffe went ahead two minutes later with Grant finding Akpa-Akpro who slotted past Barnes for 1-0 on 39 minutes.

United looked to respond quickly with Mitchley drawing a low stop from Belford just before half-time. The second half opened with Grant sweeping a shot across goal while Barnes saved a powerful shot from Matthew Crothers just after the hour mark.

Both sides made changes with Tom Croughan and Mikey Howard on for United and ex-United forward Andy Owens on for the hosts and Owens hit over the bar with an effort before Howard sent a free-kick over at the the other end.

Owens forced Barnes into a stunning fingertip save as the tie entered the final ten minutes and the United 'keeper then denied Rod Orlando-Young a few minutes later.

United's exit from the competition was confirmed in added time as substitiute Kole Hall beat the offside trap to race towards goal and slot past Barnes for 2-0. The final whistle sounded with the hosts celebrating their spot in the next round with United reflecting on their run coming to an end.

Radcliffe - Belford, Carroll. Miller, Lenighan, Cummings, Thornley, Valentine (Dawson 58), Crothers (Hall 82), Akpa-Akpro (Owens 63), Grant, Orlando-Young. Subs not used - Turner, Ashton, Gomes.

Skelmersdale United - Barnes, Davies (Glennon 86), Preston, Conteh, Griffiths, Strickland, Morris, Djalo (Croughan 57), Mitchley, Webster, Adegbenro (Howard 71). Subs not used- Brodie, Hamilton, Servuts.

Referee- Stuart Morland
Att 414.

Highlights- https://t.co/o38EmQGk71?amp=1