United ended the month with a visit to the Novus Stadium which saw them fall to a 4-0 loss to Kidsgrove Athletic. An 11-minute hat-trick from Anthony Malbon either side of half-time was added to by a superb 68th minute free kick by Kyle Diskin as Grove claimed the three points.

Paul McNally welcomed Liam Wood back to the starting 11 after injury with Alex Griffiths and Sean Yeldrem swapping places while Matthew Corness was handed the chance to debut off the bench.

The hosts started the better in the early stages with Lee Williamson firing a free-kick straight at the United wall after four minutes before Liam Wood tried his luck from distance forcing a low diving save from Kieran Harrison. At the other end, Ryan Kirkman collected a tame shot from Anthony Malbon and Grove continued to threaten as Malbon and Kyle Diskin combined to pick out Will Saxon who was unable to test Kirkman as his shot crept past the far post.

As half-time loomed, Kidsgrove broke the deadlock as Malbon cut inside before firing past Kirkman for 1-0. The second half saw Grove look for a second goal with Diskin firing over on 52 minutes before a deadly double blow for United before the hour. Malbon doubled the lead after collecting substitute Chris Budrys' through pass to slot past Kirkman for 2-0 before completing his hat-trick two minutes later by firing high into the net after latching on to Williamson's flick-on.

Any United hopes of a comeback were ended on 68 minutes in spectacular style, Diskin curling a free-kick past the United wall and into the bottom corner for 4-0. Malbon came close to his fourth and Grove's fifth on 77 minutes as he headed wide from Diskin's cross. United's best chance of the second half saw clever play between substitute Sean Yeldrem and Liam Wood find debutant Matthew Corness who tricked into the area and squared for Yeldrem who was unfortunate not to tap in at the near post.

Yeldrem had another great chance minute later as his shot across goal crept past the far post. The hosts had a number of late chances with substitute Rumenio heading over the bar from Chris Baker's cross before a last-ditch tackle from Tommy Lent denied Malbon from adding to his tally. The final whistle sounding minutes later left United to reflect on a mixed afternoon both in defence and attack and a missed chance to boost survival hopes.

Kidsgrove Athletic - Harrison, Baker, Morris, Blake (O'Neill 81), Bergin, Butler, Diskin, Williamson, Saxon (Rumenio 28), Malbon (c), Glover (Budrys 46). Sub not used- Jepson.

Skelmersdale United- Kirkman, Samson (Grimshaw 67), Coughlan, Molyneux (c)(Yeldrem 57), Lent, Tyrer, Griffiths, Cato, Mukendi, Wood, Scoullar (Corness 67).

Referee- S.Morland
Att-146.