TADCASTER Albion's wait for an away league victory goes on following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Hallam, a side who may emerge as promotion hopefuls as the league develops.

A game devoid of many clear cut chances, Hallam's top goalscorer Leon Howarth showed true quality in securing his fourth goal of the season to put the second-half in their control.

Brewers right attacking midfielder Kieran Greenway got off to a bright start, collecting the ball inside the Hallam half before a neat turn and one-two with striker Elliot Andrew, only for his cross in from the right to loop safely into the arms of Hugo Warhurst.

Despite having a largely comfortable game in goal, Warhurst gifted an opening to Albert Ibrahimi after skewing a kick up the field.

Controlling the ball well, he battled his way into the penalty area and would have got his shot away had it not been for an expertly timed sliding challenge from Hallam captain Danny South.

Tadcaster were claiming a penalty was due for a tackle from behind, but referee Philip Morton asserted that the initial contact had been made from side on.

South was involved once more on 11 minutes with a deft backheel, meeting a long throw from the right on the volley, only for the shot to be rifled straight at Sam Green.

A cagey opening to the match was soon a distant memory with openings for both sides.

Hallam wing-back Jack Brownell later delivered a dangerous corner in from the left, for South to steer a glancing header just wide of the right post.

Dominating the ball in the first half, while Tadcaster adopted a direct counter-attack as seen in past away matches, it was the Countrymen who profited from a high ball.

Rio Allen collected the ball by cutting in from the right wing and volleyed it over the Brewers’ defence for Howarth to run onto in between the centre backs. He warded of Thirkell, who was hot on his heels, and executed an audacious chip over a stranded Green.

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Howarth thought he had scored a second for Hallam minutes later after a soft headed clearance from Josh Hardcastle landed at his feet. He skipped infield before hitting an effort from long range which Green tipped over acrobatically.

Pacey winger Luca Bolino had the last say in the first half, knocking the ball around Jack Brownell towards the byline before a well-timed sliding tackle shut the move down.

It was the wide attackers in Bolino and Greenway who shone in an otherwise tricky half for the Brewers, showing great individual skill to beat their men and haul Tadcaster forward.

The second-half sprung into life on 56 minutes with Tadcaster on the defensive once more; Allan took the ball towards the box, running at Bolino, dribbling across goal before his shot was blocked.

South, to complement his arial imperiousness in the first half, followed up with a low drive which Green saved smartly to his left.

Tadcaster grew into the game as it progressed, seeing more of the ball as Hallam began to tire.

Thirkell picked out Bolino with an accurate lofted ball to the left wing, who reached the byline yet sent the cross into the keeper’s arms again. The Brewers were getting into decent positions but couldn’t convert their touches into the final third into attempts on goal.

Hallam were looking to seize back control from set pieces, as they packed the penalty area for Warhurst’s free-kick on 70 minutes.

Initially headed clear, the ball was worked out left for Tom Claisse to curl a cross into the box – final contact was made by Allen at the back post, only for a superb intervention by Charlie Owen that forced the corner.

Entering the latter stages, both the three points and one point as far as Tadcaster were concerned seemed up for grabs, and the Brewers came close to an equaliser with a few minutes left.

Ben Tweed kept a hold of the ball with some good feet in the middle, before working it to Bolino.

He showed great vision picking out the overlapping substitute Mason Wilson, whose low cross met the feet of Andrew. A nice first touch set him up well for the shot, yet he struck it narrowly over the bar with his laces.

Hallam had done enough for the three points as a few cagey minutes of stoppage time came to an end.

Tadcaster showed mere flashes of their quality with both wingers and wing-backs involved in the build-up.

However, they lacked the sharpness on the ball at times and in front of goal when it mattered most.

The Brewers have dropped to 10th, still within touching distance of the playoffs as only three points separate them from fifth, while Hallam rise to second place with two games in hand.

TADCASTER ALBION: GREEN, HARDCASTLE (WILSON, 72), OWEN, THIRKELL, HOLMES, F. IBRAHIMI, GREENWAY, TWEED, ANDREW, A. IBRAHIMI (CASSIUS-GILL, 77), BOLINO

ATTENDANCE: 502