Brighouse Town bowed out of the 2023-24 Emirates FA Cup with a 4-2 home defeat to unbeaten Northern Counties East Premier Division side Albion Sports.
Town after 12 minutes thought they had taken the lead through leading goalscorer Mo Qasim but the assistant referee ruled the ball had gone over the dead ball line to the verbal frustration of the home support. Others seeking clarification also thought he had been given offside and it ended up being a major turning point so early in the game.
While heads went down Albion Sports went down the other end and Robbie Fox belted home the first of his three goals on the afternoon.
Town’s response was limited by a tall line of centre backs and on the stroke of half-time Bradford-based Albion doubled their lead when Thomas Ponter converted a corner.
Town resumed with the experienced Sam Drake replacing Harrogate Town teenager Ben Tweed, but it was Albion who struck again in the 53rd minute as Fox bagged his second.
Qasim did hit the side netting after he strode into the box, but it was the wily Fox who settled the tie in the 67th minute with his hat-trick goal making 4-0.
Town did manage to pull two goals back through an Alex Phillipson header four minutes later and and then Qasim finally got the goal he deserved in the 74th minute.
Town now fought to get an all important third goal and set up a grandstand finish but it was not to be even with Albion reduced to 10 men as substitute Ellis Wade saw a second yellow card and then a red one.
This was not a performance manager Vill Powell will have been pleased with after the previous weekend’s two league successes.
Former Bradford PA and Morecambe striker Sebastian Bolton made his home debut for Town after coming on as a substitute at Liversedge.
In Monday’s draw Albion Sports were drawn away to Hyde United, the tie to be played on Saturday week.
This Saturday, Town are at home to Hebburn Town from Newcastle in the preliminary round of the FA Trophy (3pm). There will be no extra time if the sides are level on the final whistle, the result being determined by penalties.
England’s Euro qualifier with Ukraine will be on both the big screens in the clubhouse following the game.
Tonight (Thursday) Town’s U-18 side will be at Ossett Town (7.30) in the preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup.
