Steeton 1 Hunsworth 2

BOSS Roy Mason branded Steeton's display "totally unacceptable" as they slipped to their fourth home league defeat of the season.

The hosts were weakened by the absence of Lee Reilly, Tim Hird and skipper Michael Rhodes but the Chevrons chief felt his side should still have had enough to win.

The returning Matty Kershaw took Reilly's number nine shirt, Ryan Cox slotted into Hird's midfield position and Joe Mason took over at right back.

In the opening half hour, Kershaw and Graham Holmes had shots that were cleared off the line and went narrowly wide.

Hunsworth also went close and only superb positioning by Arley Barnes enabled him to clear just before the ball crossed the line. The centre-back partnership between him and Sam Rooke is proving to be a great success this season.

The deadlock was broken after 42 minutes when a corner by Mark McGee caused great confusion in the box. Kershaw mishit the ball which seemed to strike the hand of a Hunsworth defender. Loud appeals for a penalty were turned away but Rooke slammed the ball home in the confusion to give the hosts a half-time lead.

Hunsworth came out more determined in the second half and only stout defending, by Joe Park in particular, kept them out. However, an equaliser came after 66 minutes when the hosts were caught out by a counter-attack as Dale Wright slotted home.

Steeton almost produced an immediate response when sub Dominic Mortimer, who was making his first league appearance for the first team, tried a 25-yard drive within a minute of coming on. It brought out the best of the visiting goalkeeper, who grabbed the ball at the second attempt.

Shortly afterwards Mortimer was put through by Cox and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, who smothered the ball by diving at his feet.

On 73 minutes a superb volley by Andy Holden was blocked by a defender, who prevented what would almost certainly have been the second goal for Steeton.

Hunsworth's winner came with less than five minutes left. A hopeful ball into the area caused confusion and Mason slipped as he attempted to clear. Unfortunately the ball struck the back of Rooke and sailed past Brooksbank before he could move. It was a bizarre way to lose the match and neither Mason nor Rooke should shoulder blame for what was a fluke.

Steeton pushed forward for an equaliser but only a superb tackle by Mason prevented a probable third goal as the hosts were caught on the break.

Despite this defeat Steeton remain in seventh place but their manager expects better than his side showed.

He said: "It was a totally unacceptable performance against a side who with all due respect, we should be beating even with players missing.

"Until we realise that we have to earn the right to win matches then we will always be susceptible to these kind of results. I will be looking for a big improvement at Bay Athletic on Saturday.

"It also highlighted the lack of depth in our squad that is needed to compete at this level and that is something I will be addressing in the next few weeks."

Steeton: Brooksbank, Mason, Park, Barnes, Rooke, Richmond, Holden, Cox, Kershaw (Mortimer), Holmes, McGee (Rawcliffe).