CHRIS Howarth scored a last-minute winner to give Tadcaster Albion a 1-0 win at Spalding United and extend the Brewers' unbeaten league run to eight in the Evo-Stik League East Division.

In a game of few chances, a goalless draw seemed the likely outcome until Howarth popped up to sweep home Billy Whitehouse’s cross in the 89th minute to give Taddy three valuable points.

The result - Albion's third win on the bounce - keeps Taddy third on goal difference and now just two points behind Lincoln United, who lost 4-1 at fellow high-fliers Brighouse Town.

Spalding, meanwhile, are struggling in 18th, with just one point keeping them off the foot of the table.

Simon Collins welcomed Michael Ingham back in between the sticks as well as handing a start at right back to Josh Barrett. Aiden Savory, Lamin Colley and Ellis Barkworth were all absent.

Taddy’s skipper did not get off to the most pleasant of returns, dislocating his thumb in the fifth minute after after tipping over a cross but he was able to continue after treatment.

The Brewers carved out the first big chance in a scrappy opening as Whitehouse slid Howarth in down the right-hand side and he pulled back to Joe Lumsden who cleverly beat one man before having his effort blocked by midfielder Conor Marshall.

Spalding, looking for a reaction after back-to-back 3-0 defeats, almost had joy from their numerous dangerous crosses into the box with Ingham only able to parry a 25th-minute ball in, but Paddy Miller managed to clear.

Taddy top scorer Lumsden went incredibly close on the half-hour mark after brilliantly beating two United defenders in the box but his shot was deflected agonisingly wide.

At the other end, the Tulips' lively Leon Mettam had his first real sniff when he was sent racing down the right in the area, but Ingham was able to clutch the cross-goal effort.

Spalding had a penalty appeal at the end of the first half as Jenk Acar went to ground after robbing Jack Walters of the ball but the referee waved the shouts away.

At the start of the second half, Whitehouse smashed a volley just over from a splendid raking ball over the top by Pete Davidson before Lumsden screwed a shot wide of the right-hand post.

Chances were still at a premium despite Albion enjoying the vast majority of possession as the match passed the hour mark while the Tulips were defending resolutely and dealing with everything thrown at them.

But with time running out, a ball forward was headed out to the edge of the box near the touchline and Whitehouse sent in a clever first-time volleyed cross and Howarth latched onto it, stretching to sweep the ball across the keeper and in from six yards out.

It was not quite over, though, as Spalding squandered a glorious opportunity to equalise right at the death.

First, Corey Roper put in an outstanding last-ditch challenge inside the penalty box before Ben Davison skewed wide from eight yards out.