A depleted Tadcaster Albion side were knocked out of the West Riding FA County Cup last night, although the 5-2 scoreline at Thackley did not fairly reflect the match.

Northern Counties East League division one strugglers Albion - missing four players due to late call-offs through injury and work commitments - took the lead against their premier division hosts when Billy Hicks headed home Mark Hick's cross.

Thackley equalised but Rich Howley netted a Richard Horsley cross after the break to restore Albion's lead.

From the restart, however, Thackley levelled again and ten minutes later they went into the lead with a disputed goal. The linesman had flagged to say the deflected shot should have been ruled out for offside but the referee overruled him, and this goal proved to be the turning point.

Albion, having seen many recent games postponed because of the weather, were not as match-fit as Thackley, who went on to bag two late goals, one from the penalty spot, to seal the victory.

Thackley now face Farsley Celtic in the quarter-finals.

Updated: 13:27 Wednesday, February 14, 2001