Stephenson strikes – but Borough beaten

GRIMSBY Borough dropped into the bottom three of the Northern Counties East League after a demoralising 2-1 home defeat against Glasshoughton.

The game started tentatively with both sides realising the importance of three points.

Glasshoughton settled the quicker, with some decent passing moves involving Clapham, Atkinson and Moyce, the latter getting through a square Boro defence to force keeper Leigh Graves into an important save low down.

Boro struggled to put two passes together and did not really threaten.

Moyce cut inside Tommi Wright and hit a curling shot heading for the top corner, but Graves was equal to it with a spectacular left-handed stop.

Jordan Yorath, the Glasshoughton keeper, came to their rescue and pulled off a great save from a Stephenson snap-shot.

Towards the end of the half, Boro started to get a bit more into the game.

A run and cross from Jack Debnam eluded everybody in the box when it appeared only a tap into the net was required.

Glasshoughton looked the likelier team to score but, from one of their corners, the ball was cleared and deflected into the path of Lee Stephenson. He ran on from the halfway line, outpacing Banks, and finished with a low shot into the far corner giving Yorath no chance.

Boro were fortunate to go in at half-time 1-0 up.

The second half started with a little more purpose and belief from Boro.

After 55 minutes, they should have been two-up.

Debnam was played through and, with Lewis Buckthorp alongside him, a simple pass would have left an open goal.

Instead he elected to shoot and Yorath made a good block at his feet.

This was a turning point as Glasshoughton forced an equaliser after 60 minutes. John Penn knocked in what looked like an harmless cross, but Tuck, Wright and Graves got in a muddle and Moyce guided a simple header into the far corner.

Dean Newby replaced the injured Kev King, Nathan Ireland came on for Rick Creer and, from a corner, Newby forced the ball over the line. However, the referee had spotted some pushing and ruled it out.

Ricky Belding came on for Debnam in a bid to press for the winner but, after 80 minutes, the referee decided to send Dean Newby off.

After he had received an elbow, the referee adjudged that Newby had retaliated. This left Boro with 10 men and just 10 minutes left.

Worse was to come on 85 minutes when Graves was penalised for a foul on Moyce and the ref pointed to the spot.

Moyce took the kick and Graves got down well to save – but the striker followed up to slam the rebound into the net.