VAUXHALL Motors were unable to find the finishing touches after two first half strikes ensured a 2-0 defeat away to Kidsgrove Athletic.

After only eight minutes Vauxhall we’re put to the sword as Toby Jones was beaten for pace down the right flank and a cross delivered. The initial strike was saved well by Jack Atkinson but the rebound was played to Matt Rhead who calmy slotted to give his side the advantage

One was so nearly two and again it was Rhead whose flick on to Tom Pope looked goal bound but his effort only ended up troubling the side netting.

A bit of luck could’ve found the equaliser for the motors when Will Dunne’s delicate free kick evaded everyone and looked to have beaten Kieran Harrison but it smashed off the post and rebounded away for safety.

Jack Atkinson maybe caught out with an early strike by Robbie Hatton who picked the ball up from 35 yards and effortlessly smashed one into the corner with Vauxhall’s number one unable to get near the strike. Suddenly the mountain for the Motormen to climb was even taller.

It looked like 3-0 to the hosts as Shaun Rhodes’ header ended up in the net. Amongst the chaos and celebrations of the Grove players however play was pulled back for a foul.

Will Dunne was the man causing issues this time for the Motormen as Kevin Ellison’s superb delivery found the winger's head but unbelievable goalkeeping by Harrison prevented a looping header at full stretch to keep the visitors goalless.

Vauxhall had their best chance to find a way back into this game as Josh Quarless was slipped through and then cleared out from behind inside of the Kidsgrove box winning his side a penalty. Jawad Jebrin stepped up and tried to smash the spot kick into the top corner and instead blazed the effort well over the bar.

That was the tale of the game for the Motormen in the first half who failed to convert their chances and started too slowly.

Second half began much the same when a long ball from Kidsgrove slipped by Vita Mbolokele who didn’t connect well at all which meant Aaron Bott was one on one with all the time out the shot wherever he wanted. Surprisingly he decided to smash it straight at Atkinson who had no trouble preventing a third.

The pressure continued as Tom Pope found Gyamfi on the edge of the box who looked to curl one goalward. He couldn’t find the target however and the shot bent wide.

A free kick from The Grove number one only reached as far as George Nugent who immediately poked it through to Ellison. With Harrison initially out of position his only option was to rush the veteran striker. Ellison managed to poke it past the hosts shot-stopper but was then joined for company by a Kidsgrove defender who ensured the ball rolled safely out of play.

Vauxhall seemed to have awoken trying to put pressure in the closing stages as link up between Quarless and Ellison ended up in the feet of substitute Nick Rushton just inside of the area. His attempt to curl one to the far post rattled off the bat however maintaining the two goal lead.

The last action of the game was a scramble in the box as Michael Burkey picked up on a bad pass across goal. His effort was straight at Harrison but ricocheted out to Quarless. This shot was cleared off the line only as far as Rushton who saw his effort also blocked in the goal mouth. Finally the chaos came to an end through Ellison who looked certain to add another to his tally off the rebound but that hit the bar.

Vauxhall Motors return on Tuesday night with a visit to Runcorn Linnets in the Cheshire Cup.