Prescot Cables’ six-game unbeaten run came to an end against Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday, as Ste Daley’s side suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at Valerie Park.
James Steele’s first strike for the club wasn’t enough for The Yellows to stage a comeback, after Oliwier Grzelak and Luke Rawson had given the visitors a two-goal cushion earlier on.
Cables failed to find an equaliser despite an array of late chances, with the result leaving them three points adrift of a play-off spot having played two games more than those above them.
After a stale opening 10 minutes, it was the hosts who looked the most likely to break the deadlock, with Steels goalkeeper Ben Townsend forced into making two saves in a matter of seconds.
The first chance fell to Ben Elliott, who latched onto John Murphy’s flick-on, but failed to generate enough power into his close-range header as Townsend shovelled it to safety.
Moments later, Finlay Cross-Adair’s fancy footwork proved too hot for Tom Charlesworth to handle. However his pinpoint cross was met with a tame effort from Steele and the ‘keeper comfortably held on.
Despite Cables’ early dominance, it was the visitors who struck first after 23 minutes, as Grzelak silenced the home faithful.
Alex O’Connor’s through ball found James Morris, who jinked his way past Peter Clarke before seeing his shot saved by Calvin Hare. However, the ball spun upwards into the path of Grzelak who headed past the despairing ‘keeper to give Stocksbridge the lead.
The goal rocked Cables, who struggled to regain their dominance for much of the first half, Elliott going closest on the stroke of half time as his volley kissed the top of the bar.
Daley opted for a double substitution during the interval, but the changes failed to have the desired effect with Steels extending their advantage on 49 minutes, as Rawson rose highest to nod past the stranded Hare from six yards.
With the game seemingly over, Steele gave The Yellows hope with a moment of brilliance on 67 minutes, expertly taking down Hare’s long free kick and rounding Charlesworth before bending past Townsend to cap off an excellent solo goal.
And the hosts almost found a leveller soon after, as Steele’s lay off gifted Elliott a golden chance from the corner of the six-yard-box, his strike producing heroics from the in-form Townsend who tipped it past the post.
Cables continued to push, as Elliott Owen cleared Tom Scully’s volley off the line in stoppage time, however it was too little too late as Stocksbridge held on for all three points.
