The long trip to Millom in Cumbria proved fruitless for Crosshills on Saturday as they went down 2-1.

On a perfect surface, the visitors started the game brightly and the left side was where the damage was being created as Ian Craven caused havoc time and time again against the home side's defence. The final ball being either wasted or charged down and cleared up field.

Again, as in previous weeks, hesitation was Crosshills' undoing when a ball was picked up by a Millom midfielder who from fully 35 yards out, hit an unstoppable drive to Greenwood's left when all was needed was a challenge and more work-rate in Hills' midfield to prevent him getting in his shot.

A defensive error early in the second half saw Hills go 2-0 down. With half an hour to go, Reape shuffled his pack and the game turned in Hills' favour. This time it was the right hand side, and Strickland who was causing all the problems. It was one of his crosses that caught out Millom's defence and a mix up between the goalkeeper and centre half saw the latter nod the ball into his own net. Now Crosshills were piling on the pressure and after Greenwood's penalty save with 10 minutes to go, there only looked to be one side in the game but again, an equaliser, let alone a winner could not be found.

Reape commented after the game: "The signs were there on Saturday and if we can get players to concentrate on doing what they are good at and working hard until the last kick of the game, we will start to pick up points.

"Last season there were teams in a similar position to the one we're in now and those teams won promotion. We are giving some of the younger players who last year were still playing in the Craven League's first division their chance and it has proved a big step up for them. They are improving week by week and are now beginning to show the confidence that is required of them to play in this league.

"A number of quality young players have recently signed for the club and after a couple of games with the reserve side, should be ready to step in a nd strengthen the senior team."