KENDAL Town boss Peter Smith was in a state of disbelief after watching his side spurn a pile of goals when losing 3-0 to Rossendale United on Wednesday, but the damage has been limited by defeats for a couple of their fellow strugglers.

Smith said: "We missed eight good chances - not half-chances.

"We hit the post three times from inside the six-yard box, saw one cleared off the line, and failed to take three one-on-ones.

"Take away their two late goals after we pushed men up and things were always in the balance, but we just couldn't put the ball in the net.

"Players are deflated after we domineered so much, and I'm sorry for them, but we've got keep spirits up and fight on."

Lincoln United's visit on Saturday looks a watershed.

A Kendal win would keep the struggling pack at the bottom together, but defeat increases the likelihood of a bigger gap opening on the bottom three.

That would leave Kendal slugging it out with Stocksbridge now that Ossett Albion look doomed.

"Nobody has outshone us since we began this fightback from being bottom four points adrift, but things are starting to fade and we must face the situation like men," said Smith.

Saturday's match, sponsored by the White Hart pub, kicks-off at 3pm.

Town are at Spennymoor on Tuesday.

Kendal Town 0 - Rossendale 3

A HOST of missed chances cost Kendal dearly as they sank to a frustrating 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Rossendale United at Parkside on Wednesday evening.

Gary Williams got behind the Kendal defence after just seven minutes and Jerome Fitzgerald got first run on Kendal full back Lee Pennington to convert his near-post centre past goalkeeper Lee Ward.

Kendal should have levelled the scores on 14 minutes when a neat move involving Stuart Cliff and Ian Lunt presented David Foster with a golden opportunity but his shot cannoned off the post.

Five minutes later, Foster's goal-bound header was cleared off the line by Rossendale defender Houldsworth.

The lively Williams led a Rossendale breakaway after 27 minutes but chose to go for goal and it was keeper Ward who pulled off a fine block.

Minutes later, Hodgson met a Stuart Cliff corner but his powerful header was stopped on the line and Foster's follow-up shot again struck the post to add to Kendal's agony.

Foster squandered another opportunity when he shot over after being played in by Lunt.

Bowman was also guilty of poor finishing for the visitors when he miscued a close-range shot on 43 minutes.

In the second half, Sargeson broke clear on goal after Kendal had lost possession, but Ward saved off his legs.

And with the next attack of the game Williams missed an open goal to let Town off the hook.

Kendal pressed for an equaliser and midfielder Cliff was denied a goal when Rossendale keeper Carrington pulled a save out of the top drawer to tip the ball over the bar.

From the resulting corner, Shepherd came within a whisker of the elusive equaliser with a drive from the edge of the box.

Moments later, Foster flicked on a Cliff corner to the awaiting Lunt, but Carrington again came to his side's rescue with an important strike five minutes from time when Sargeson dispatched a volley past Ward.

Deep into injury time, substitute Brooks produced a delightful finish from 20 yards to give the visitors a slightly flattering victory.