A VALIANT Tadcaster Albion fell to a fourth straight league defeat after being edged out 3-2 away to title contenders Marske United, writes Olly Wood.

Tadcaster's Eddie Church broke the deadlock midway through the first half but Marske responded with three goals in a dozen minutes to take a commanding lead.

Albion hit back through Mark Ferguson with 20 minutes to go but were unable to push on and find a decisive third goal.

The result leaves Tadcaster just one point above the two automatic relegation places in the Pitching In Northern Premier League east.

At the opposite end of the table, Marske sit second and showed just why in a fast start. United's Ryan Wombwell cut in from the right but his effort flashed well wide of the target.

On 22 minutes, the hosts squandered a golden opportunity. Goalkeeper Ally Hughes could not manage to keep a hold of a corner and home skipper Adam Wheatley blazed over from inside the six-yard box.

Tadcaster duly punished Marske's missed chance shortly after. The ever-willing Church battled with his man and won a free kick on the right.

Jordan Deacey delivered to Church, who gambled at the back post, and he headed down past the keeper. The goal saw Church reach double figures for this season.

Shortly before the break, Tadcaster's Jack Carr showed good strength to hold off his marker, displayed a couple of step overs to get inside the box before curling an effort wide of the far post.

On the stroke of half time, Marske equalised through a significant slice of luck. Wombwell’s cross deflected off Carr and looped over Hughes into the back of the net.

Marske's strong end to the first half continued with a rapid start to the second.

The game was soon turned on its head when Curtis Round hung a cross up for the division's top-goalscorer Adam Boyes to powerfully head in.

Little before the hour mark, Marske extended their lead when Junior Mondal’s shot was parried by Hughes, with Boyes on hand to complete his brace.

Tadcaster continued to press on for a leveller as Mark Ferguson's drive on goal was stopped by Ryan Catterick.

Ferguson would not be denied though and he pulled one back for the visitors. Des Amponsah drove forward past two defenders and fed the ball to Ferguson.

The substitute cut in and drilled a low strike into the corner for his first Tadcaster goal.

Albion pressed on for an equaliser, primarily through James Burgess. The forward slipped in Church who in turn had an effort deflected behind.

Amponsah and Kesi Omolokun both had late chances but Marske held on for the points.

Elsewhere in the division, Pickering Town return to action tomorrow evening (7.45pm) at Marske after seeing their weekend home clash with Frickley Athletic postponed following a failed pitch inspection.

Likewise, Selby Town's trip to Swallownest in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League division one was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Pictures have been kindly supplied by Karen Harland.