TWO Martin Smyth penalties and a host of missed chances condemned Tadcaster Albion to back-to-back Evo-Stik League East Division defeats as they went down 2-1 at Gresley FC.

Chris Howarth volleyed through the excellent Jack Livesey in injury time but it was merely a consolation for the frustrated Brewers.

It's fair to say that the pitch at Moat Park doesn't allow for the beautiful game, but the home fans were encouraged early on as Smyth's looping header narrowly went over.

Nevertheless the Brewers had a big chance after 16 minutes, with Pete Davidson setting Joe Lumsden in on goal down the right but his cross-cum-shot couldn't be turned in by Casey Stewart.

However, it was the hosts who went into the break ahead as Smyth converted a penalty kick on 42 minutes.

Billy Whitehouse was adjudged to have controlled a cross with his arm and, after a huge appeal from the home fans, referee Dawson pointed to the spot.

That man Smyth almost heaped further pain on Albion before the first-half drew to a close but his poked effort whistled just wide of the top corner.

Tadcaster flew out of the blocks in the second-half, and Corey Roper brilliantly kept the pressure on from a free-kick, his drilled ball across the goal-line crying out for someone to tap it in, but three yellow shirts watched on from further afield.

Having said that, the best chance of the day by a mile fell to Whitehouse five minutes into the second-half.

Joe Lumsden cleverly skipped inside Kane Jellyman in the box and pulled the ball back to Whitehouse, who blazed over left-footed from seven yards.

The woodwork was next to get in the way as colossal central defender Harry Coates saw his looping header flick off the top of the bar.

The former Hyde man then rose powerfully to a corner, and his header looked destined for the top corner, only for young Livesey to pull off a stunning save.

But attacking left the door ajar at the other end, and Smyth's effort was cleared off the line by Aaron Hardy.

The eventual winner also came from the spot as Gresley were awarded a second penalty five minutes from time after a sharp counter-attack led to Roper mistiming a last-ditch challenge.

Smyth confidently swept the spot-kick into the back of the net, although substitute Chris Howarth did pull a goal back deep into stoppage time.

Meanwhile, Billy Logan scored twice in as many minutes for Pickering Town, including a penalty, early in the second-half but couldn't prevent a 4-2 defeat at Loughborough Dynamo.

In the first qualifying round of the FA Vase, Selby Town went down 5-0 at home to Staveley Miners' Welfare, while Harrogate Railway Athletic lost a thriller 4-3 at home to Silsden, with The Rail's goals coming from Sean Hunter (2) and Fraser Lancaster.

Stephen Bromley netted in the first minute for Knaresborough Town at Billingham Synthonia, but they lost 3-1.

Promoted Harrogate Town are second in the Vanarama National League after a 4-0 home win over Eastleigh, with Jonathan Muldoon and Mark Beck both getting braces.