FC UNITED crashed out of the FA Trophy on Wednesday night - but announced news of a remarkable new signing.
The Rebels suffered a record 4-1 home defeat to Bradford Park Avenue but completed the capture of last season's Manchester United reserve team top scorer Aaron Burns.
The 19-year-old striker was released by Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer and joined Championship side Cardiff, only to be edged out by the signings of Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
But a contractual restriction means Burns cannot play for a club above UniBond League level until the January transfer window, so FC have stepped in to pick him up until then.
That was a much-needed boost for FC fans who have this week lost last season's top scorer Stuart Rudd with a knee injury which could keep him out for the season.
They had to suffer again as Park Avenue produced a fine display.
The visitors took the lead at Radcliffe Borough when a defensive mix-up allowed centre forward Paul Gedman in for an easy finish.
As FC pushed for an equaliser they were blitzed on the counter-attack and Liam Flynn, Gedman again and sub Mike Moseley worsened the agony before Cayne Handley rifled in his first FC goal.
2 Liam Foster
3 ShaunRoscoe
4 Steve Spencer
5 Dave Chadwick(captain)
6 Rob Nugent
7 David Swarbrick
8 Simon Carden
9 Cayne Hanley
10 Jerome Wright
11 Rory Patterson
Subs
12 Chris Baguley(for 7, 30mins)
14 Nicky Platt(for 2, 57mins)
15 Theo Coleman(for 3, 57mins)
Attendance 951
Scorers
Hanley 85, Gedman 13 Flynn 27 Connors 52 Moseley 64