TADCASTER Albion's return to the Young Guns Arena ended in a 2-1 defeat to higher-division Brighouse Town.

Tadcaster Albion played their second pre-season match on Friday evening against Northern Premier League side Brighouse Town, who were fortunate to avoid relegation due to movement in the non-league pyramid.

Mick O'Connell's side were keen to build on their 4-0 thumping of neighbours Selby Town on Tuesday evening, with Tadcaster continuing their preparations ahead of their second season in the Northern Counties Eastern League premier division.

With three minutes played, good work by Sam Kitchen saw Junayd Cassius-Gill slid in behind, but the move came to nothing.

More good work from Cassius-Gill on the left led to a good shot as he cut inside, but it was well saved by the Brighouse goalkeeper.

The same player succeeded in a shot at goal as the Brewers continued their positive start to the contest.

Midway through the half, Brighouse were coming back into the game as it was stopped for a few minutes as Luca Bollino and an away player clashed heads as they challenged for the ball.

Both teams took the chance for a few words with their coaches and a top up of liquids on this warm evening.

On the half an hour mark, good work by Alfie Dean put Cassius-Gill in again, but his shot from the edge of the area hit the bar with the goalkeeper beaten.

A good few minutes then led to good work by the Albion defence and goalkeeper Sam Green, who ensured that the half ended all square.

Both teams made a few changes at half time, and it was the home team who nearly took the lead from Dean after good work by Shaun Hudson.

The Brewers kept pushing and went close through former Nottingham Forest forward Elliott Andrew.

The young striker had a penalty appeal as he might have been clipped in the box, but nothing was given.

On 51 minutes, home goalkeeper Green made a wonderful flying reflex save to keep the teams level.

But nine minutes later, he was beaten with a looping header by Brighouse talisman Jack Normantion to hand the visitors the lead, despite the best efforts of Green.

With the full-time whistle approaching, a Tadcaster cross from the left was met by forward Andrew and the away shot-stopper together, but the ball then fell to Bollino at the far post and he clinically drilled the ball home with his right foot to make it 1-1, a very good crisp finish.

That looked like the way it would finish, but there was just time for Kieron Ceesay to steal the ball from the Brewers defender on the half-way line, before racing one-on-one with Green and rounding the shot-stopper to clinch a late winner for the visitors.

Despite the result, it was another good competitive run out for Tadcaster as they continued their preparation for their upcoming NCEL league season.