TERRIBLE conditions and a terrific display by visiting Leek Town goalkeeper conspired to send Kendal to a 1-0 defeat against their fellow relegation strugglers at the Planet Conservatories Stadium on Saturday.

The result sees Leek leapfrog Kendal, who drop into the bottom four, but it was not because Lee Ashcroft's men lacked chances.

But in Peter Collinge, the ex-Bury keeper, they found a formidable obstacle as he denied Gareth Arnison and Paul Byrne with agile saves, while in between the tireless Peter Wright saw a thunderous shot strike the post.

Instead Leek went ahead against the run of play with virtually their first attack in the 26th minute as a mistake by on-loan defender Nathan Wood let in Kevin Towey to square the ball to the unmmarked Dave Tickle and he stabbled it past Rick Whiteside.

But it was Collinge who was the diffference between the sides as he made another fine stop from Lee Mulvaney before half time.

Kendal battled on trying to play their neat measured football in the deteriorating weather in the second half against opponents defending in numbers.

Dene Whittal-Williams rose well to get on the end of Byrne's free kick to the far post but the the header just wide.

Substitute Scott Redhead then had a strong effort blocked by Collinge, who spread his body well to stop a point-blank shot from Mulvaney.

As to be expected, Leek threatened to break clear and did so most dangerously when keeper Rick Whiteside came up for corners in the closing stages, but they could not get another goal to make it safe.

For Kendal it was just frustration in the mud and rain, despite showing immense heart, and the joy and despair on the faces at the end told you how important this match had been to both sides.