It could be said without doubt that Brighouse Town gifted a strong and talented Stocksbridge Park Steels all three points last Saturday at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium in a 3-2 reverse.
Town were off and running quickly as early as the eighth minute when Myron Gibbons blasted home for a parried Javelle Clarke shot.
However, five minutes later the visitors were level as Tomas Poole came in from the left and placed his shot to inside the near post of Brett Souter.
This gave the south Yorkshire side confidence to come and attack the Town goal with Ify Ofoegbu, Ross Godwin and Lewis Macaskill creating plenty and making sure the Town defence worked hard to keep them out.
That was until the 35th minute when a mix up between centre-back Aiden Walker and Souter saw Macaskill brought down in the penalty box and from the spot Ofoegbu made no mistake to put his side 2-1 up.
Walker was booked as the away support called for a red card!
The second half was also end to end and Town were really growing into the game and taking charge and a goal looked imminent. Gibbons was close with a tremendous hook shot and Jack Wilson, Jack Boyle and Tom Haigh all went close.
In the 80th minute Town did level when substitute Corey Gregory sent in a powerful shot from 25 yards out to beat Ben Townsend all ends up.
Town pressed for the winner against a shocked Stocksbridge side but it was the side placed third in the table who came out winners in the fourth minute of added time. Town gave away a free kick out on the left and Kurtis Turner sent in his shot on goal and it went right across the defensive team and Souter and into the far corner of the net for the winner.
A point against a good side would have been a good outcome but the supporters left ruing the end result and a chance to advance further up the table and also saying in the end their side had really gifted them the win.
Second half subs for Stocksbridge were former Town striker Luke Rawson and Bradford City loanee Dylan Youmbi.
Town go again on Saturday away to Durham side Shildon (3.0) who are second from bottom and not having the best of seasons and now under their third manager.
Striker Laurence Sorhaindo, who missed Saturday’s game with Stocksbridge after a knee injury sustained at Tadcaster Albion on Bank Holiday Monday, is not looking at a scan but rest for the jarred knee. He said it was feeling much easier ahead of the game and would see how things went this week before putting his hand up or not.
Reserve goalkeeper Jamie Hassall who had taken over from an injured Souter against Ossett United and then played well against Tadcaster Albion was out with illness for the Stocksbridge game.
On the night before the game utility player Elliot Harrison left the club and joined Huddersfield club AFC Emley.
Town manager Vill Powell has in the meantime awarded a contract to left back or centre-back Sam Reed. The 19-year-old son of assistant manager Stacy Reed has put in some very consistent performances this season and has also shown his utility value. His contract runs until the end of the 2023-24 season and also includes an option to stay with the club beyond that.
Derby County were represented at last Saturday’s game and Bradford City also came to watch both their players Jack Wilson and Dylan Youmbi.
Town are at home on Tuesday night against Campion (7.45) in the third round of the West Riding County FA Senior Cup. Admission will be £5, £3 for concessions and £2 for Juniors 12-16yrs, and free for Under 12’s accompanied by an adult.
There is a coach going to Shildon which will leave the Dusty Miller on Halifax Road at 11am.
