Steeton show positive signs in cup loss at Barnoldswick Town

In yet another battling display from the men in green and white, the Chevrons were on top for large parts of the game but found themselves punished by both not taking their chances at one end and lapses of concentration at the other.

Manager Roy Mason however took plenty of positives from the 3-1 defeat to higher league opposition ahead of returning to league action this coming Saturday away at Euxton Villa.

The game began with the two sides even and looking for the breakthrough on the afternoon.

And it was the home side who moved into an early lead, finding two goals in the space of four minutes as they made the most of defensive lapses from the visitors.

The opening goal came from the head of Gaz Hill, the prolific forward finding himself unmarked near to the penalty spot to turn a free header past the diving James Catlow and into the back of the net.

Then, with the away side looking for an immediate equaliser, Barnoldswick hit on the counter attack.

Will Procter found space near to the area and went through to finish into the back of the net.

Steeton thought they had halved the deficit shortly before half-time, yet found themselves on the wrong end of a controversial refereeing decision.

Jake Townsend, returning to the side after missing the last fortnight, whipped a corner towards the goalmouth.

The ball went over the outstretched and flapping arm of Callum Jakovlevs and landed into the back of the net.

With the Chevrons celebrating, the fortunate goalkeeper’s blushes were spared by the official, who judged that he had been obstructed.

Shortly before half-time, two Barlick defensive blocks denied first Alex Stewart and then Josh Debenham.

The way back into the contest was found within a minute of the restart in spectacular style.

Flying out the traps from the restart, Townsend shifted the ball wide to Stewart.

The winger composed himself to turn the defender on the edge of the area, and beautifully whip the ball over Jakovlevs and inside the far post to halve the deficit.

Steeton celebrate Alex Stewart's superb goal on Saturday. (Image: Ian Meachin.)

With their tails up, Steeton continued to drive forward seeking the equaliser.

Debenham saw an effort blocked, with the hosts hitting on the counter but somehow not finding a third as Procter dragged his effort agonisingly wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy.

Emerson Mitchell, who recorded a second consecutive man of the match performance in central midfield, saw two efforts go wide of the post as he looked to score his second goal of the season.

Continuing to look for the goal to take the match to a penalty shootout, Josh Coe nearly made an immediate impact from the bench but saw his header blocked and cleared.

The Chevrons continued to push for the leveller but could not take any of the chances they continued to create at their end.

Then in the final minute of injury time, Barnoldswick ended the contest with their third goal of the contest.

Catching Steeton on the counter once more, Procter managed to just about shrug off Freddie Westfall as he struck the ball on the fall past Catlow, securing his side’s passage to the first round proper in the process.