RYAN Elderton suffered a nightmare on his return to Lancaster City as the midfield ace was sent off on his second debut as the Dolly Blues crashed to Moor Green.

Crowd favourite Elderton moved back to Giant Axe from Kendal Town in time to make Barrie Stimpson's starting line-up against the Birmingham outfit - but was dismissed for a second yellow card in stoppage time for dissent.

By that time, though, it was already game up for City, who are still without a win in front of their own fans all season, as Moor Green, who pushed Morecambe all the way in the FA Cup, moved back into the Conference North play-off zone.

City keeper James Brindle denied Jason Moore and then tipped over a dipping Darren Middleton shot as the Brummies looked to take full advantage of City's plight - but Lancaster went oh-so-close to taking the lead on 32 minutes.

Lee Sparks, who is finding his feet at Conference North level after impressing so much this season for North Lancashire League outfit Marsh United, showed a stunning piece of control as he left his marker for dead.

But the Lancaster cricketer dragged his shot just wide - and City were made to pay seconds later as Middleton swung over a cross and Moore was on hand to steer a header beyond the despairing dive of Brindle.

Elderton nearly made his mark with a rasping shot - but City were rocked again shortly before the break when Moore turned provider as he crossed for Dale Anderson to make it 2-0.

Leon Gierke curled a free-kick just wide of a post shortly after the break as the Dolly Blues chased the game but Moor Green went 3-0 up 21 minutes from time when Middleton finished well.

And deep into stoppage time Elderton, who had earlier been booked, was sent off for talking out of turn to the referee.

Lancaster City: Brindle, Marshall, Henry, Brown, Galley, Sparks, Gierke, Doherty, Rigby, Uberschar, Elderton.
Subs: Williams, Hanwell, Durnan, Roberts, Connerton.
Referee: D Enright
Attendance: 169