AFC EMLEY’S hopes of promotion to the Baris Northern Counties East League Premier Division look slim following a 4-1 defeat at high-flying Albion Sports.

Emley conceded early on, with only four minutes on the clock, when the ball broke to striker Karl Hall, who outsprinted the defence to drive the ball between keeper Paul Day’s legs.

Hall nearly doubled his tally five minutes later with a long-distance shot.

Emley looked like they were finding their feet, but on 22 minutes, it was 2-0 to the Bradford team. A throw-in from the halfway line was flicked on by Huddersfield-based striker Danny Facey and the ball fell kindly to Hall, who lobbed over Day.

The busy Emley keeper then had to be alert to scoop the ball off the toes of Facey.

The brother of former Town player Delroy finally got his reward after 42 minutes.

The Emley defence failed to deal with a long Albion clearance which fell into the path of Facey, who beat Day in a one-on-one.

Emley’s task was made even tougher after 50 minutes of the match.

The shots reigned in on Day’s goal, with one blocked and another crashing against the bar before Hall completed his hat trick with a drive from the edge of the box.

Emley boss Darren Hepworth took immediate action with a triple substitution, Anthony Leech, Mark Wilson and Curtis Roberts replacing Josh Cooke, Aaron Joseph and Brad Riley.

After Hall hit a post, Emley gradually got better, with Doran Jordan and Josh Ingham at the heart of most of the action.

It was Jordan who finally pulled a goal back after 74 minutes, volleying home from a corner.

Emley are sixth while Albion Sports are second.