RADCLIFFE Boro went down to a 2-1 defeat at big rivals Chorley last night in a Unibond League Cup group game.

The scoreline in no way reflected the balance of play as Boro were denied time and again by a stirring display from home keeper Simon Marsh.

Torrential rain just before the kick off had placed the game in doubt but the Victory Park pitch held up well. Boro had the better of early exchanges but went behind on 17 minutes to Chorley's first attack of the game. Radcliffe defender Simon Kelly was rash in his challenge on Neil Mitchell and conceded a penalty.

The spot kick was fired home by former Leigh RMI striker Keith Evans.

Chorley increased that lead on 31 minutes when Dave Eatock scrambled home following a corner. Neil Hardy had the ball in the Chorley net but the strike was ruled out for offside before Boro did reduce the arrears five minutes before the interval through Dave Collins.

The second half saw Boro dominate only to find keeper Marsh in dominant form and they were left with nothing to show for a feast of excellent football. Boro's man of the match was left-back Tony Wheeling.