Knaresborough Town eventually run out of steam as fourth game in a week ends in defeat to Rossington Main FC
Knaresborough Town appeared to run out of steam on Saturday afternoon as their recent unbeaten run was ended by Rossington Main following a gruelling week.
Simon Parkes’ men lost 2-1 on home soil in what was their fourth game in the space of just seven days, with that defeat only their second in 10 NCEL Premier Division matches.
Comfortable 3-0 victors over Wombwell Town the previous Saturday, the men from Manse Lane drew 1-1 with Pickering Town last Tuesday night, then had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Rossington 48 hours later after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser.
And their penultimate fixture of the season proved to be a step too far as, despite creating plenty of chances, they suffered a first loss in five outings.
It was Knaresborough who looked the more likely early on as Sam Leverett shot wide, Ben Gelder drew a good save from Main goalkeeper Tom Wallace, and Will Lenehan fired over from close range.
But, from their first attack of any real note, Rossington took the lead on 14 minutes when Mack Warne did exactly what he did two days earlier and picked out their back of the Boro net.
Paul Sherburn then rounded home custodian Edd Hall, only for the Knaresborough stopper to push his shot wide of the near post.
The hosts eventually settled back down and James Beaston, on his 100th start for Knaresborough and his final game before retirement, headed a Jack Lazenby corner towards goal only for a defender to boot clear.
Lazenby then headed over and a Dyche cross that was begging to be finished was missed by everyone, before the visitors went 2-0 up with their second attempt as Masai Arbouin also repeated his Thursday strike with another finish into the corner of the net.
Dyche did manage to nod home Barnes’ centre from the left to give Knaresborough hope in the 81st minute, but Wallace made the save of the game to keep out second Dyche header from Leverett’s free-kick as Rossington held out for a rather fortunate win.
On Thursday, Knaresborough took the lead at Main through Gelder’s 48th-minute goal from a left-wing Barnes cross.
Aaron White then rose unmarked to head in Lazenby’s inviting corner from the same side of the pitch for 2-0 just before the hour-mark.
But, Warne responded for Rossington almost immediately, before substitute Arbouin struck from 25 yards to level matters deep into time added on.
Two days earlier, a 33rd-minute Lazenby penalty conversion following a trip on Luke Stewart set Knaresborough on their to three points at home to Pickering.
However, Marshall Knock’s second-half goal meant that the shares were spoiled in the end.
Tenth-placed Boro play their final league game of the season this Saturday when they entertain champions Liversedge in a 3pm kick-off.