United Unlucky Not To Hold Colne

After an initial postponement due to the torrential rain, United ended the season with a narrow 2-1 loss to play-off hopefuls Colne. Mamadou Djabi and an Alex Curran penalty put the visitors ahead at half-time before Alex Griffiths struck not long after the restart to cap off an ever-present season.

Paul McNally welcomed the quartet of Tom Grimshaw, Sean Yeldrem, Liam Wood and Matthew Corness back into the starting 11 while Louis Keegan returned on the bench. Amid the continuing downpour, Colne had the first chance of the afternoon with United captain Marvin Molyneux blocking a long-range free-kick before Colne opened the scoring on 15 minutes. Lee Pugh's curling shot cannoned off Molyneux into the path of Mamadou Djabi who fired past Ryan Kirkman for 1-0. The visitors doubled their lead on 22 minutes as Alex Curran slotted a penalty past Kirkman for 2-0 after being felled by Tommy Lent's challenge.

As the interval approached, Colne went close to a third as a clever run from Djabi saw him slot through to Curran who saw his shot saved superbly by Kirkman whose great reflexes saw him tip Webb-Foster's shot past the post minutes later.

United brought Louis Keegan on at the interval and he took just five minutes to make an impact, lofting a cross to the back post for Alex Griffiths to head past Hakan Burton for his fifth goal of the season at 2-1. Roles were almost reversed as the half went on as Keegan headed narrowly past the post from Griffiths' cross.

Colne responded with substitute Brad Lynch setting up Djabi who lifted an effort over the bar before Brad Knox drew a strong save from substitute 'keeper Terry Smith and a stunning shot from Webb-Foster though beating Smith cannoned back off the post.

Molyneux sent a long range shot past the target for United before substitute Matty Morgan drove an effort narrowly past the post at the other end. The final whistle was greeted by rapturous cheers from the visiting fans as they wrapped up a play-off spot while United reflected on a good performance despite the scoreline.

Skelmersdale United - Kirkman (Smith 46), Tyrer, Griffiths, Molyneux (c), Lent, Grimshaw (Keegan 46), Yeldrem, Scoullar, Douglas, Wood, Corness (Samson 56). Subs not used- Moretti, Lewis.

Colne- Burton, Coleman (c), Pugh, Hollins, Priestley, Baker, Webb-Foster, Knox, Wood (Lynch 67), Curran, Djabi (Morgan 73). Subs not used- Nangle, Makinson,Poscha.

Referee- L.Corrigan
Att-162.