Brighouse Echo Sport – All the latest news from the Heffernan Utilities Stadium by Dave Parker

A stunning 4-1 home victory over mid-table Carlton Town took Brighouse Town out of the bottom four ahead of a tough December programme ahead.

On 11 minutes it looked very much like another bad day at the office as Town conceded a penalty as a Carlton attacker was pulled to the ground. Nathan Watson scored from the spot to put his side  

1-0 to the good.

Town were without giant central defender Kevy Tarangadzo (holiday) and the home supporters thought they were looking down the barrels of another defeat. However, Grant Black’s charges responded in tremendous style and were soon on top and frequently attacking the quarry end. There was a debut for new striker Akeel Francis from Wakefield and he was soon putting himself about. On the strong-looking Town bench were Darius Smith and Myron Gibbons, who were to feature later in the game, plus Hyde United signing Akeem Hinds and on loan FC Halifax Town player Harvey Coates.

Brighouse pulled level nine minutes before the break when Francis headed home Romario Dunne’s corner and they went into the break ahead with a carbon copy of the first half goal. This time it was another former Wakefield player, centre back Jack Durkins who headed home Dunne’s cross.

After the break there was no let up in Brighouse’s attacking play and a third goal came after the visitors failed to clear a Town attack which keeper Felix Annan thought he had snuffed out with a fisted clearance but Josh Waldram was on hand to slam home from 15 yards out in the 57th minute..

Town then sat back somewhat and Carlton had a 15 minute purple patch during which time they hit the foot of an upright and also sent a shot across the face of the goal.

Substitutions by the management altered things with fresh legs and an impetus to go forward. Darius Smith was electric down the right and caused Carlton grief. However it was shock inclusion Myron Gibbons after seven weeks out who used his pace on the left to catch a ball a foot from the deadball line and swing over a great cross which Smith slid beautifully into the net.

The Town faithful went wild on the final whistle and now have to see if their favourites can repeat the performance up at Dunston on Saturday (3.pm).

It was smiles all round as the management and players came into the clubhouse to meet the supporters and with games in hand Town now need to win up and climb the table.

Former Town fullback Sam Reed has joined Boston United on loan from Sheffield Wednesday and former Town manager Vill Powell, who brought Reed to the club as a sixteen-year-old, had his first win as manager of Sheffield FC with a 2-1 scoreline over Pontefract Colliery.

own released their dual registration goalkeeper Paul  Cooper so he could sign for Gainsborough Trinity and be in their FA Cup squad last Friday night away to Harrogate Town in BBC 2 televised tie
Cooper, who came to Town from Buxton on loan, did not come on but former Town player Javelle  Clarke played in his sides 1-0 defeat