Golcar United 2 Steeton 1

STEETON came agonisingly close to gaining a point at champions elect Golcar on the back of a midweek 5-0 win over Tyersal.

With Josh Brooksbank unavailable, Stuart Devlin made his debut in goal and Jack Richmond returned to the starting XI.

On a bobbly surface, good football proved difficult and Golcar's more direct style was more suited to the conditions.

Their early pressure paid off when a wonder strike from Jonathan Newiss left Devlin with no chance to put the home side ahead.

Steeton looked to get back into the game as an Andy Holden free-kick just eluded everybody. Arley Barnes was then alert as the home side looked to further their advantage.

The second period saw a different Steeton side emerge and they took the game to the hosts. Lee Reilly went close after good work from Graham Holmes on the right-hand side.

Mark McGee and Joe Park started to link up better on the left and Michael Rhodes and Holden were also causing problems. Switching their style to a more direct approach paid dividends with an equaliser.

Holmes was bundled over in the box and Reilly stepped up to send Ash Connor the wrong way from the penalty spot. Steeton were now on the front foot, with Tim Hird dictating play from the middle of midfield and Sam Rooke repelling any counter-attack the home side could muster.

However, Devlin needed to get down sharply to his right to make a great save as the hosts looked to put one hand on the title.

With the clock running down, a ball over the top found Callum Meade and he flicked the ball into strike partner John McAliskey's path. The former Huddersfield Town player flicked the ball over Devlin to cue wild celebrations in the home camp and leave Steeton frustrated following a performance that merited more.

Chevrons boss Roy Mason admitted: "It was a tough one to take. The players were magnificent and really deserved something out of the game.

"You can only ask for each player to give you 100 per cent and they did that man for man. It is important we finish the season strongly in terms of performances and this showed that on our day there is not much between us and the top sides in this league."

This Saturday Steeton entertain Lower Hopton at Summerhill Lane (2.30pm).

Steeton: Devlin, Rhodes, Park (Huntley), Barnes, Rooke, Richmond, Holden, Hird, Reilly, Holmes, McGee.