After a hard fought point at promotion chasers Hyde United on Saturday, Skelmersdale United saw their short unbeaten run come to an end with a 3-2 loss to Droylsden. The Bloods raced into a 2-0 lead with a Jack Lenehan own goal and superb strike from Dominic Smith inside 17 minutes. Liam Caddick added a third on 67 minutes with United setting up a frantic finish after Josh Wardle and Lenehan struck late on.

Injury and illness meant a number of changes to the squad from the weekend with Jack Lenehan and Bevan Burey promoted from the bench in place of Arnie Baxendale (inj) and James Barrigan (ill) while Deklan Hill, Billy Whittle and Terry Smith were included on the bench. United looked to get on the front foot early on but were unable to test Bloods' 'keeper Richie Branagan while the visitors were fortunate to open the scoring on 10 minutes, a low cross from Shaquille Clarke took a bad bobble off Phil Mooney leaving Lenehan helpless to prevent hitting into his own net for 1-0.

United's response was a shot just past the post from Mike Roddy after a nicely worked play while Lenehan swept over a cross which beat both the defence and attack. The missed opportunities proved costly on 17 minutes as the Bloods doubled their lead in style, Dominic Smith firing over Callum Roberts into the top corner after a clever build-up for 2-0. The visitors could have been in complete control before the half-hour mark with Sefton Gonzales attempted lob travelling narrowly over the cross bar. United continued to battle to reduce the deficit with Bevan Burey sending a shot over the bar before a superb dash from Scott Bakkor saw him advance on goal and look to slot past Branagan who denied him with a strong stop.

After his introduction just before the hour mark, Tunde Owolabi sent a near-post achingly past the target with United also trying their luck from distance but their attack was to suffer a blow on 67 minutes as Liam Caddick collected a long ball and after advancing on goal,he fired past the advancing Roberts for 3-0. United's reply saw a pressure from a number of corners from Tom Molyneux and Liam Davies before Droylsden had a great chance to wrap up the points as Caddick clipped a shot against the post.

United finally got off the mark with 84 minutes on the clock as a lofted cross from Burey saw Josh Wardle head past Branagan to the joy of the home fans who were even more euphoric five minutes later as a mazy run from Lenehan saw him evaded defensive challenges before tucking the ball past Branagan into the bottom corner to claim his first goal for the club at 3-2. The fans encouraged the boys in Blue but sadly the comeback ended incomplete as Droylsden secured their first win of 2018, a success that left United still to confirm safety from the threat of relegation.

SKELMERSDALE UNITED: Roberts, Lenehan, Fleming, Roddy, Mooney ©, Wardle, Darr, (Owolabi 56) Molyneux, Bakkor, Davies, Burey (Toner 72) Subs not used - Hill, Whittle, Smith T.

DROYLSDEN: Branagan, Clarke, Barber, Kpohomouh, Shaw (c), Ali, Dylan Smith, Dominic Smith (Phillips 63), Gonzales, Rouse (Kilheeney 83), Caddick Subs not used- Holden, Bagshaw, Moran

Referee: Liam Corrigan Attendance: 107