STEETON fell to a third successive defeat as they went down at home to league leaders, Holker Old Boys.
Showing great character throughout the contest, Roy Mason’s side recovered from a slow start to overturn a two-goal deficit and go into the half-time break level.
However, just one minute into the second half, a controversial penalty and even more controversial red card shifted the entire momentum of the game and allowed the visitors from Cumbria to go on and take the three points.
The game got off to a slow start as both sides looked to find their feet, the Chevrons though would fall behind with a disaster of their own making.
From a defensive throw, the ball was passed back to James Catlow.
The returning keeper went to take a touch but saw the ball roll beneath his foot and agonisingly into the back of his net.
Looking to find a way back into the game immediately, Dan Illingworth saw a header denied by the outstretched glove of Matt Bailey in the Holker goal.
The Old Boys though would double their lead.
Taking advantage of a sloppy pass, the visitors took possession of the ball on the edge of Steeton’s box with Luke Ellis on hand to thunder the ball into the top corner.
This goal sprung the game into life and with it a Steeton resurgence to restore parity heading into half-time.
The deficit was halved through Emerson Mitchell, the midfielder beautifully passing the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the area after Owen Williamson flicked on a Macca Smith throw.
Then deep into injury time at the end of the half, Josh Debenham levelled the score from the penalty spot as the referee controversially judged Luke Mitchell had blocked Harvey Green’s strike with his arm.
That would not be the only controversial penalty awarded by the referee,
In the first minute of the second half, the official again pointed to the spot, this time in favour of the visitors, having ruled Arley Barnes had handled the ball on the line.
This led to confusion and chaos as the officials were unclear on their stance regarding the repercussions.
Having initially booked Barnes, the referee changed his mind and dismissed the Steeton skipper after a two-minute consultation with his linesman much to not just the fury of Barnes, but also Mason on the touchline.
Unfazed by the lengthy delay, veteran striker Jason Walker smashed the penalty home to put his side back into the lead.
Just two minutes later, the killer blow followed with the visitors restoring their two-goal advantage from the first half.
Working the ball across the park, a cross field delivery landed perfectly at the feet of Tyler Spence.
The winger composed himself to strike with vengeance inside the near post much to the delight of all those in yellow.
Two goals and a man down, Steeton continued to dig in and look a route back into the contest.
Macca Smith and Gregorio Barnett both saw strikes from range go just over the bar, with Bailey forced to tip a Jacob Smith free kick away for a corner.
Having seen off a Chevrons flurry, Holker scored again as Luke Mitchell found himself unmarked from a corner to head home his side’s fifth goal of the afternoon.
Frustration briefly took hold as Jacob Smith flew into a challenge, being booked for his troubles, that brought the two sets of players together.
Steeton now have a welcome break from league action next Saturday as they make their entry into this season’s FA Vase.
STEETON (Subs): Catlow; M Smith; Lynn; Barnes; Illingworth; Mitchell; Green; J Smith; Debenham (Coe); Williamson (Khan); A Stewart (Barnett). Subs (Not Used): Kelly; Gibbon.
GOALS (Assist): Mitchell 33’ (Williamson); Debenham 45+3’ (Green)
