AN early goal by second placed Bootle saw them beat 10-man Barnoldswick Town 1-0 at Silentnight Stadium on Saturday.
Ryan Cox put the visitors up 1-0 in the ninth minute.
Chasing the game, it became even more difficult for Town when Samuel Anankwaa received a red card in the 38 minutes.
Manager Matt Barnes made two changes at half-time with Jack Coop and Harry Thompson coming on for Teal Amos and Daniel Vincent.
Town had a better second half but could not find their way through the Bootle defence.
Ryan Livesey had a fantastic game in goal for Town.
New loan signing Kian Yari came on as a substitute in the second half, and Town's other loan signing from Burnley, Ethan Kershaw, started the game.
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