IT WAS the same old story again for Tadcaster Albion as they missed a number of good chances in a 1-0 defeat at promotion-chasing Lancaster City in Evo Stik Division One North.

Ryan Winder netted the only goal of the game in the first half after firing a free-kick past Chandler Hallwood.

Tadcaster responded well though and dominated the second half, with the recalled Josh Greening somehow heading over from four yards out.

The Dolly Blues took the lead after 14 minutes.

After plenty of successful practice in the warm-up, Ryan Winder superbly curled a free-kick into the back of the net from 25 yards.

Albion could have been level shortly after the half-hour as they slowly worked their way back into the contest.

Dan Thirkell brilliantly reversed a through ball in behind to Greening but he could only fire into the side-netting.

The title chasers should have extended their lead less than a minute after Greening’s missed opportunity.

City substitute Hannu Tam sprung the offside trap, leaving virtually a whole half between him and goalkeeper Hallwood.

The pacy Tam drove in on goal but the former Walsall stopper narrowed the angle, stood tall and denied the striker’s weak effort.

Set-piece specialist Conor Sellars almost outdid Winder’s free-kick three minutes from the interval.

From the right side of the penalty box, Sellars whipped the free-kick over the wall towards the far corner but saw his sweet strike crash off the bar with the keeper beaten.

Greening may not be known for his heading ability, but even he will have been bitterly disappointed not to have rippled the back of the net four minutes into the second half.

Jordan Armstrong, outstanding all afternoon for the Brewers, put it on a plate for Greening, who somehow headed over from four yards out.

Chances started to flow for both sides as the match ticked by, and Hallwood had to make an impressive save to keep out Jacob Gregory.

With 12 minutes to go, Greening went close once again. Carl Stewart glanced the ball perfectly but Greening couldn’t generate enough contact to flick past the City goalkeeper.

In the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division, Pickering Town drew 0-0 at cellar dwellers Retford United to draw level at the top with Cleethorpes Town, who have four games in hand.

In Division One, Wayne Brook’s 54th-minute goal was enough to give Selby Town victory at next-to-bottom Westella & Willerby, but play-off chasing Knaresborough Town lost 2-0 at second-placed AFC Emley.

In Vanarama National League North, Harrogate Town beat fourth-placed visitors Chorley 2-1, courtesy of goals by Joe Leesley (penalty) and Simon Ainge.