TOM Corner gave Tadcaster Albion an early lead against Colne but the promotion chasers hit back to take all three points in Evo-Stik First Division North.

 

After good centre forward play by Carlos Djalo, Corner drove in his sixteenth goal of the season from a Jordan Armstrong cross.

 

Despite being in the ascendency for the majority of the first half, the Brewers went into the break trailing 2-1 after Liam Shepherd headed the ball into his own net and Phil Dean scored for Colne.

 

The hosts held off the Brewers at the start of the second half before Mark Ayres scored with a header and Dean wrapped up a 4-1 victory.

 

Brewers boss Billy Miller named an unchanged side, a rarity this season, and on a scorching afternoon his players started much the brighter and took the lead after just eight minutes.

 

Portuguese striker Djalo out-muscled Lee Pugh and fed Jordan Armstrong who clipped in a cross. Leading marksman Corner made no mistake and beat goalkeeper Greg Hartley from eleven yards.

 

The lead lasted only five minutes, however, as a Colne corner was flicked on at the near post and bounced into the net off Shepherd’s head.

 

The pitch at Chester’s XLCR stadium is on a steep slope and, despite the home side kicking down the hill in the first half, the Brewers were the first to the majority of balls.

 

Corner proved a menace for defenders with the towering striker shooting on sight at every opportunity. But Colne took the lead in the final attack of the first half when Rob Youhill’s switch of play was cut out by forward Adam Morning who rounded goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood and set up Dean to tap home.

 

The Brewers were forced into a re-shuffle 13 minutes into the second half when captain Gregg Anderson suffered an ankle injury. Substitute Jason Mycoe took over in midfield and Dan Thirkell dropped back into defence alongside Josh Barrett.

 

Now kicking down the slope, the Brewers looked increasingly likely to score the next goal. Corner went close again but his poked effort fizzed inches wide of the mark.

 

The Brewers would live to regret their failure to take opportunities when in the ascendency.

 

Colne scored a crucial third goal when a corner from the right-hand side was headed in by defender Ayres. The goal deflated Miller’s men and the Reds - roared on by a noisy home crowd- grew in confidence. Substitute Jason Hart shot wide after being sent clear by Spencer Jordan and curling freekick by Dean was saved by Hallwood.

 

Steve Cunningham’s side wrapped up victory 12 minutes from time in controversial style. Dean appeared to be offside but there was no flag and the striker tucked away his second goal of the afternoon.

 

The final scoreline flattered the home side but Colne have momentum on their side and jumped up to third spot in the division.

 

Next up for the Brewers is the West Riding County Cup Final on Tuesday night (7.45pm) against Farsley Celtic at the i2i stadium.