A DEFENSIVE mishap in stoppage time cost Emley a 3-2 defeat at Worsbrough Bridge in the Northern Counties East League’s Premier Division.

Darren Barrick returned to the starting line-up playing up front with Andy Farrell and Stephen Kenworthy, and manager Ian Banks also opted for five at the back.

On a sloping pitch Emley struggled to make any ground and were constantly getting caught by misjudging the bouncing ball.

On nine minutes, following a long clearance from the Worsbrough keeper, a poor back pass put Green in trouble. In what appeared to be a 50-50 challenge the attacker lofted the ball over the bar and collided with the Emley keeper.

The referee pointed to the spot and the penalty was easily converted with Green sent the wrong way.

Emley failed to create any scoring opportunities and the home team doubled their lead on 19 minutes. From a short corner and cross an unmarked player found the net with a strong header.

Kenworthy forced a good save from the home keeper two minutes into injury time. Finding space at the back post his strong shot was well saved off the keeper’s legs.

Emley started the second half much more brightly and with only a minute gone Mark Stuart made the most of a good interception, but from the edge of the box his shot went well wide.

Emley pulled a goal back on 55 minutes when a long clearance out of defence found Farrell with a bouncing ball in the box.

His attempted lob was pushed high into the air by the keeper and, with the ball looping towards the net, Kenworthy finished it off with a volley.

With an hour of the game gone Emley found themselves down to 10 men.

Matt Higginbottom, who was having a good game, was the victim of a very poor tackle on the half way line. A foul was given and then the ball was kicked at him while he was on the floor. He stood up aggressively raised his hands and was given a straight red for violent conduct.

In the ensuing fracas both keepers were also booked.

Emley drew level when Townsend was adjudged to have been brought down in the box and was awarded a penalty.

Farrell took the spot kick, and although the keeper got his fingertips to it he could not keep it out of the corner of the net.

Emley, desperate for the win, pushed players forward, leaving themselves vulnerable at the back.

A couple of minutes into stoppage time a sliced clearance from Green put Leech under pressure and he was dispossessed, leaving Šthe keeper exposed in defence. The Worsbrough attacker advanced and took his chance very well finishing with a low shot into the far corner.