KENDAL Town lost 3-1 to promotion-chasing Prescot Cables at The ST and B Accountants Stadium.

The Mintcakes, who battled and competed in the first half, went 1-0 down after 42 minutes when Lloyd Dean scrambled the ball home from close range.

However the talking point came after 78 minutes when second half substitute Paul Dawson who had only been on the pitch for three minutes was shown a straight red card for an incident with Dean.

The red card proved to be a key moment as Prescot doubled their advantage two minutes later when Jordan Southworth scored at the far post.

Rick Seear edged Kendal back into the game before Josh Klein Davies’s goal deep into stoppage time sealed the points for the visitors who climbed into the second automatic promotion place.

Prescot started the brighter of the two teams, and created their first opportunity after 11 minutes when Jordan Southworth’s deep delivery into the penalty area was pushed over the bar by Morgan Bacon.

The visitors continued to apply pressure on the Kendal backline, while Bacon on loan from Carlisle United made a good save to deny Lloyd Dean who’s effort on goal was pushed away for a corner before James McCullogh's header on goal crashed off the crossbar.

Kendal arguably had the best opportunity of the first half when a cross in by Rick Seear was headed over the bar by Charlie Bowman, before a pin point delivery into the penalty area was scrambled clear by the Prescot defence.

Prescot opened the scoring after 42 minutes when Harry Kane who cut inside from the left saw his effort on goal rebound off Bacon before Lloyd Dean fired home from close range.

Kendal almost responded on the stroke of half time however Danny Penswicks angled attempt on goal scraped over net.

Kendal were more positive in the second half, and missed some good opportunities most notably through Seear who went clean through on goal. However the Prescot keeper stood firm to deny the former Colne player. Gaul and Bowman saw their efforts on goal cleared while Danny Mc Gahon and Penswick also went close for the hosts.

Prescot created plenty of opportunities most notably through Chris Almond who was one on one with Bacon in the Kendal goal before the Carlisle United shot stopper made a good save.

The turning point in the game came on the 78th minute when Paul Dawson who had been on the pitch for three minutes was shown a straight red card for an altercation with Dean. Dawson was adjudged to have led with his head by referee Craig Buxton.

Prescot in turn took full advantage before making it 2-0 after 80 minutes when a ball into the box was missed by two Kendal defenders before Jordan Southworth scored at the far post.

Kendal pulled a goal back after 86 minutes when Seears shot across the keeper fell into the bottom corner, but Prescot sealed the win deep into stoppage time when second half substitute Josh Klein Davies saw his angled shot on goal nestle into the bottom corner of the net.

Kendal travel to bottom of the table Goole on Saturday.