STEETON fell to a 3-1 defeat at local rivals Golcar United in the NWCFL First Division North on Saturday.

Daniel Nadiole opened the scoring shortly before the interval in a closely-fought first half before Ash Flynn controversially doubled the hosts’ advantage 10 minutes after the break.

Kayle Price’s instinctive finish pulled a goal back for the Chevrons with 20 minutes remaining.

But a mix-up between keeper Stuart Cross and captain Jerry White soon after led to Buddy Cox netting a third for the hosts, who claimed a deserved three points.

Steeton had the first opportunity of the afternoon when Jahro Parchment turned Jack Lynn’s teasing cross on to the bar in the fourth minute, and that set the tone for an entertaining first half.

Luke Baldwin and Parchment also stung the palms of Harry Stead as the Chevrons pressured the Golcar defence, while at the other end, Cross positioned himself well to deny the lively Cox.

Stead produced two fantastic saves to deny Price from close range, but with 42 minutes on the clock, the hosts opened the scoring with a goal worthy of their second-placed league position.

Nadiole forced Cross into a smart stop, but he got a second bite at the cherry and fired a stunning low strike under the Steeton stopper at the near post.

Toby Jeffrey cleared a goal-bound shot off the line and Cross saved well with his feet as Golcar looked to extend their advantage early in the second half.

However, that proved to be a warning the visitors did not heed, with the hosts scoring a fortuitous second in the 53rd minute.

Intercepting the ball on the halfway line with a strong tackle, Jake Barrett drove forward before feeding top-scorer Flynn to tap home at the far post.

Despite the forward appearing to have come from an offside position in the build-up, the goal was given.

Steeton substitute Cain Tailford then set up Josh McKiernon, who saw his low drive trickle just wide in an attempt to halve the deficit.

Cross denied Cox with a fantastic reaction save as the hosts bombarded the Steeton goal, but the visitors gathered themselves and pulled a goal back with just over 20 minutes left to play.

Alistair Morgan headed Jeffrey’s corner to Price, who made no mistake to power his 23rd goal of the season past Stead from close range.

With both sides searching for a decisive fourth goal, individual errors crept into the match and a miscommunication between White and Cross in the box saw neither gather the loose ball.

The impressive Cox took full advantage, and poked the ball into the empty net to seal a victory which dropped the Chevrons to 13th.

Steeton do not have to wait long to try and make amends, with their first-ever West Riding County Cup quarter-final at Brighouse Town taking place tonight.