Richmond Town 0 Boro Rangers 1

RICHMOND Town's unbeaten run came to an end with a disappointing defeat by North Riding Challenge Cup holders Boro Rangers, of the Teesside League, last Saturday.

Richmond were drawn at home, but heavy overnight rain left Earls Orchard unplayable and both teams agreed to switch the venue.

Town manager Chris Lax was never in any doubt about how tough this game would be. Rangers, the current Teesside League champions, proved to be a very impressive side, particularly their forwards, but the physical side of their game left Richmond hoping to get through the game without any serious injuries.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case as Simon Pinkney is expected to be out of action for up to a month following a heavy challenge, while there was concern from the sidelines as Michael Gunnell and Kalumn Holbrook, twice, were on the receiving end of bad tackles.

Richmond were awarded an early free kick and some quick thinking by Holbrook gave Scott Ryan the chance to cross for Ben Darville, who failed to get a good connection and deflected the ball to Pinkney, who fired into the side-netting. Darville then combined again with Ryan, whose shot was blocked.

Town threatened again on the break from a Rangers corner. Holbrook, after a run from just outside his own box, passed to Darville, who again went close.

Richmond corners picked out Stephen Butterworth, who was just high of the target from the edge of the Rangers box, and Jason Newall, who headed wide. With the first half almost over, Rangers thought they had taken the lead, but Richard Cook's strike was ruled offside.

Richmond's Chris Pattison had an early second-half chance, but failed to hit the target, while Cook, now seeing much more of the ball, curled an effort wide before putting his side ahead with 53 minutes played when placing the ball past the advancing Town keeper Karl Latcham into the corner of the net.

Minutes later it looked like getting worse for Richmond, who survived a strong penalty appeal after Ben Hugill was brought down. Lewis Colley fired over before Town substitute Nathan O'Connor cleared off the line from Cook.

Ryan attacked down the left-hand side and crossed for Lee White, whose header was brilliantly kept out by Andy Macdonald, who then denied Ryan from the rebound.

Latcham produced a fine save of his own when diving low to his right to tip the ball wide of the post and, in the dying moments of the game, Ryan found himself clean through with only the keeper to beat, but fired across the goal and wide.

With the game in injury time, a corner kick saw one final chance fall to Michael Elliott, who fired through a crowded box inches wide of the target.

The final whistle was greeted with delight by Boro Rangers players and coaching staff, who will go into the hat for the third round.

Tomorrow sees Richmond return to league action when they take on Sunderland West End at Earls Orchard. Kick-off is at 2pm.