Spennymoor manager Tony Lee blamed his side's poor defending again as they went out of the League Cup 4-2 at Burscough on Saturday.

Lee reckons that bad defensive play is becoming more and more costly for Moors, and he said: "Our defending is a big, big problem.

"For one of their goals, two of our lads collided with each other to let them in, and I feel that we must look to strengthen that particular area.

"We weren't too happy with their fourth goal, because their lad looked well offside when he went through.

"Mind you, the match was played in a near-hurricane!"

Lee gave a debut to Jermaine Easter, on loan from Hartlepool United, and he was one of the plus points from Moors' point of view.

They went behind after 20 minutes with a shot by Ryan Bowen, but Moors quickly levelled with a free kick by Jon Cullen. Liam Blakeman put Burscough back into the lead with a header, and then Gary Martindale got the third eight minutes after the break.

Chris I'Anson pulled one back with a low shot, but Moors were hit again when Darren Connell raced clear to score, the Moors defence appealing for offside.

To round off a miserable day, Cullen missed a penalty in stoppage time. Spennymoor's next game is at Whitby on Boxing Day, kick off 1pm.

Whitby had a 6-2 home win over Radcliffe Borough. Lee Ure, who is set to sign for Billingham Town this week, put Whitby into a first minute lead, quickly followed by a Scott Nicholson goal.

Whitby were never in any danger, and they scored four times in the second half through Ure, Anthony Ormerod, Alex Gildea and Nicholson.

Bishop Auckland's tie with Prescot Cables was postponed because the Dean Street pitch was waterlogged.

Bishops' next game is on Boxing Day at Gateshead, kick off midday.

Gateshead lost 3-2 at Wakefield and Emley in their Chairman's Cup tie.