CARL STEWART’s early goal had become a forgotten memory by the final whistle as Tadcaster Albion suffered a 3-1 defeat at Trafford.

Stewart scored with a header after just three minutes at Pennybridge Lane but promotion chasing Trafford scored twice in the following five minutes before settling matters in the final minute of the game.

Manager Billy Miller was back in the Albion dugout after missing last week’s defeat against Ramsbottom United on a business trip.

Striker Stewart and midfielder Jonathan Greening both returned to the side and it was the duo who linked-up to give the Brewers an early lead.

Greening created space on the left and picked out the unmarked Stewart with a hanging cross.

The striker made no mistake with a four yard header beyond goalkeeper Terry Smith.

However, Trafford were soon back on level terms as powerful striker Andy Keogh turned and drove a shot into the bottom corner of the Albion net.

Trafford took the lead in the ninth minute when a poor back pass from Josh Barrett failed to reach goalkeeper Chandler Hallwood and allowed Ally Brown to score.

After the frantic opening, the game finally started to settle down. The Brewers had the ball in the net for a second time, ten minutes before the interval, but Stewart was adjudged to have strayed into an offside position before lobbing goalkeeper Smith.

Despite being pegged back early on, Taddy looked assured and almost levelled when Jordan Armstrong’s lofted in free-kick dropped to Gregg Anderson whose lob dropped narrowly over the crossbar.

Miller made a tactical change at half-time with substitute Josh Greening replacing Rob Youhill. Jonathan Greening moved into central midfield with brother Josh operating just behind strikers Stewart and Tom Corner.

The switch had an immediate effect and the Brewers showed a greater sense of purpose and urgency.

Substitute Greening could have equalised just three minutes after coming onto the field.

A lovely deft touch from Corner set Greening in behind but his flicked effort was saved by the goalkeeper.

Albion continued to put their opponents under pressure and goalkeeper Smith produced a fine save in the 58th minute to deny Stewart after a lovely piece of fast-flowing interplay down the right between Josh Greening and Jordan Armstrong.

The home side showed little interest in going forward in the second half as the Brewers delivered cross-after-cross and corner-after-corner into the box.

Jonathan Greening, having moved back into a central position, enjoyed far more of the ball than he had done in the first 45 minutes.

A precise pass from the former Manchester United midfielder should have brought an equaliser for Stewart. However, the striker fluffed his effort after being charged down by Anthony Griffith.

Stewart left the field a short time later after taking a nasty blow to the nose. With blood gushing from his nose, the player needed length treatment from physio Lucy Lendhill and Taddy had play for around five minutes with only ten men.

Stewart eventually got the all clear to return after a change of shirts.

Dan Thirkell was next to go close for Taddy when he drove just over the bar from 25 yards.

Nevertheless, credit goes to to Trafford who dug in deep, defended their lead, and settled the contest with a third goal in the final minute.

Goalkeeper Hallwood initially made an unbelievable save to keep out Chris Palmer’s deflected volley but Ash Woods was on hand to turn the rebound into the back of the net.

Defeat was tough to take for the Brewers - who dominated the second half - but the first ten minutes ultimately proved crucial.