STEETON suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bacup Borough in the Hallmark Security League First Division Cup second round at Cougar Park.

The Lancashire outfit scored their second win over the Chevrons in as many meetings this season, courtesy of Matthew Dell's second-half winner.

The hosts started slowly as Bacup attempted to stun Roy Mason's side, with Steeton goalkeeper Alfie Stevens-Neale being required from Anthony Hall's effort at the near post, as well as a shot which went wide minutes before.

Steeton's first effort came from Ben Richardson - who had scored two goals in two games before Saturday's clash - but he couldn't add to his tally as the defender got in the way and danger was averted.

Then, just 10 minutes in. Michael Gervin gave Bacup the lead. He got the ball, skipped through a couple a challenges, before a cool finish beyond Stevens-Neale and into the back of the net.

Steeton attempted to respond immediately, Angus Maney's snapshot volley didn't trouble Joao Mendes as the effort went just wide of the goal.

Toby Jeffrey's ball met Bobby Carter, but he couldn't head in, before a ricochet off Ben Clarkson made it's way safely into the goalkeeper's hands, as Steeton pressed for the equaliser.

It was Maney who went close a second time as Steeton began to control the game. Jordan Wilmore put a ball in, which tested the away side, it made its way to Tim Hird and the skipper headed on to Maney who fired it wide.

There was time for a half-chance before half-time. Jeffrey crossed but it had a little too much on it and Maney couldn't make the desired connection as Steeton went in at the interval a goal down.

Bacup started the second half as they ended the first. Trying to shut Steeton out, without really testing Stevie Pearson, Alistair Morgan and Joe Mason in defence, who were sturdy for the most part.

Carter was the next to test the Bacup goal. His free-kick was struck well but didn't test Mendes all too much as he plucked it out of the air.

Unfortunately, around 15 minutes passed before the next incident of note, and that was a Bacup goal. Substitute Micah Evans made a run down the wing and Matt Dell struck in at the second attempt after a brave initial block by Alistair Morgan, who was later replaced by the returning Elliot Scott - who made his 50th first-team appearance in green.

Joel Birks and Aaron Hollindrake were introduced as Mason attempted to salvage something from the cup-tie, but it was Bacup who went close, Dell's effort was fired wide as he looked to put it to bed.

Steeton weren't to be denied and pulled one back with six minutes left through a Steve Pearson header, after a Toby Jeffrey free-kick was whipped invitingly into the box.

Steeton: Stevens-Neale, Mason, Morgan (Scott 69), Wilmore (Birks 71), Pearson, Hird (c), Jeffrey, Richardson (Hollindrake 74), Carter, Clarkson, Maney. Unused: Leach, Debenham.