BRIGHOUSE TOWN AFC have like all clubs in the Step 3 to Step 7 of non-league football had their season suspended for a month until a decision is made on lifting the government covid-19 lockdown or extending it.

They will not even be allowed to train as a group of players but Director of Football Charlie Tolley says they are a honest bunch of players and will without doubt work on a Vill Powell training schedule to keep their own fitness levels up.

It comes at a time when Town were just getting the football that is expected of them back upto a level where they would be looking to get onto a winning run. Having beaten Pontefract Collieries 2-0 the previous week, Powell did not keep to a winning side for this Buildbase 3rd Qualifying round of the FA Challenge Trophy, but opted to give fringe squad players a run out and they did him and his coaching staff proud against Pitching In NPL Premier Division top four side Buxton. Any neutral in the 276 crowd on a blustery afternoon at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium would not have known who was in that lofty position and who was in the bottom four of the North West Division!

Town looked the far better side in the first 10 minutes but failed to get the ball in the net that was being guarded by their former keeper Thomas Taylor who the Derbyshire side had signed in the closed season from Scarborough Athletic. Tom Haigh from just outside the box on 19 minutes hit a hard shot which just bounced in front of Taylor but he just managed to extend his 6ft 4ins frame to tip it wide.

Buxton came more into the game and Town keeper Matt Smith saw more of the action but dealt with any shots or headers that came his way from James Walshaw, Diego de Griolamo and Tom Elliott well.

Town were unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions early in the second half as Javelle Clarke and Alhassane Keita tested their defence with some jinking runs, while veteran James Hurtley was a rock in midfield. Town also had Salford City loanee Will Shepherd and Darius Smith giving the Bucks plenty to think about.

Proven striker James Walshaw gave Buxton the lead in the 55th minute when he came in from the left after a ball over centre defender Joe Wilkinson fell kindly for him and he dinked the ball over the advancing Smith and into the net.

Town introduced Jack Boyle for Keita four minutes later and he also gave the Bucks’ defence plenty to think about and with 12 minutes to go he should have been awarded a penalty when he was pushed over the box. Taylor also came to Buxton’s rescue when he denied Haigh for a second time, Boyle and Eli Hey in the dying minutes as they looked for the equaliser and take the tie to penalties.

Buxton had the last say in the game when substitute Reece Styche scored three minutes into added time after Town should have had a free kick after a defender was just pushed off the ball, again in front of Wakefield official Ian Johnston.

Town would have been entertaining League leaders Ramsbottom United this Saturday and then fellow bottom six side Prescot Cables the week after but they will become re-arranged Monday evening games, not the best option in the winter months when pulling in a crowd, which would without doubt been a 400 allowed maximum under the rulings since the season started at the onset of September.