Brighouse Town have in the past week shocked promotion play-off sides Dunston and North Ferriby with two hardworking 1-0 victories.

Last Wednesday evening a 17th minute stunning strike from 35 yards out by Rhys Plater beat the Gateshead-based side and then on Saturday away to North Ferriby under the shadow of the Humber Bridge, Town’s experienced new recruit Matthew Tootle struck home in the 29th minute from 15 yards out.

The six points have been most welcome for Grant Black. The passionate manager has gone over and beyond to bring in players to cover injury and suspension with now skipper Josh Grant out for the next three games and also ruled out of the North Ferriby game.

He has brought in midfielders Derry Robson from Bridlington Town and Richard Patterson from Retford, while bringing back right fullback Matthew Tootle from Northampton Town where he was on trial.

Tootle,34, played in the 2-1 win at Liversedge on February 8 after arriving from Peterborough Sports and then went back down the Midlands to see if he could get back in to the EFL. He was included in the game with Dunston and once more brought his calming influence to the game. The Widnesian, who has played for Crewe Alexandra, Shrewsbury Town, Notts County and Chesterfield and has over 300 EFL appearances to his name, was delighted to have been in the right place at the right time to send the ball past Ben Bottomley.

Just ahead of the goal, striker Danny Edwards was brought down by Bottomley just inside the box but referee Steven Taylor looked at his assistant for help and the home side were awarded a free kick!

The Humbersiders were more than held by the Town outfit who had to survive nine minutes of added time before the final whistle. The players were given a rapturous ovation as they came  off the pitch by a very good Town following. Stand-in skipper Kevy Tarangadzo along with Tootle marshalled the players in great style and Isaac Aquah also put in a great shift when he came on as a sub for Cameron Gray  .  

Next up for the side is a home game on Saturday at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium with Sheffield outfit Stocksbridge Park Steels (3.pm).

It is not surprising Town’s on-loan goalkeeper Shea Callister, 18, has been handed an extended contract by Hull City as the 6ft 3ins custodian is looking like going all the way in the game.

The club has awarded goalscoring play anywhere dynamo Rhys Plater a contract after recent performances, Club officials feel he will somewhere down the line also earn himself a deal much higher up the pyramid system.

Town’s manager Grant Black has turned down a move to East Midlands club Clay Cross, preferring to stay with his current club and players. 

A week without a victory from their two games but Brighouse Town thoroughly deserved one at home to Newcastle side Heaton Stannington last Wednesday before having to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw.

It was a different story on the Saturday away to Ossett United when Town went down 4-2, but at 3-2 into the second half and for a good period commanding the game, they could have at least come away with a point before an own goal and then a dismissal on 76  minutes saw them play the game out with 10 men.

Against Heaton Stannington, Town went 2-0 down after the first 15 minutes but fought their way back to 2-1 on the break after a tremendous in-swinging corner from Rhys Plater deceived the visiting keeper.

Town levelled matters in the 64th minute through a great shot again by the in form Plater and they went ahead on 82 minutes when Niah Payne headed in to the net to the delight of the home crowd as they were 3-2 to the good.

However, minutes later the visitors broke from near the half way line and had the left flank to themselves and went up and grabbed the equaliser with keeper Shea Callister on his own. In that second half Town had two chances to score via the hard working Akeel Francis, but unfortunately narrowly missing the target.

At Ossett, Town were on the board after 12 minutes when Plater swung in a cross right across the box and Akeel Francis rose up and expertly headed home.  

Town’s lead last ten minutes before Ossett went 3-1 up with goals from Lewis Stephens, Josh Burns and Joe Crosby.

Town in the second half took the game to Ossett from the off with Myron Gibbon looking very sharp down the right. He was brought down in the box and Francis stepped up to belt home the spot kick and make it 3-2. Town’s good following got behind their team but they had a setback when in the 68th minute Kevy Tarangadzo put through his own net as he desperately tried to stop a goal-bound shot . Eight minutes later he was sent off for after a coming together with an Ossett player.

At 4-2 down and with the loss of their centre half, Town had a mountain now to climb if they were to get anything out of the game. No more goals for either side and Ossett celebrated a very welcome three points in their own relegation battle which continued for Town on Tuesday night at Bridlington.

On Saturday they have another derby game when they travel the short distance to Liversedge (3.0pm).

Manager Grant Black has been trying to strengthen his squad in the past few days as next up after Liversedge is a home game against high flying Emley next Wednesday at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium 7.45pm.