STEETON are on a rotten run of form in the North West Counties Football League First Division North.
And some hapless defending cost them on Saturday, as they lost 4-3 at home to Maine Road.
Roy Mason’s side have now suffered six defeats on the spin, and while they look almost certain to avoid relegation, the season is ending for them on a dispiriting note.
They made a disastrous start against their Mancunian visitors on Saturday, going 2-0 down inside 10 minutes.
Harvey Woodhouse capitalised on a defensive error to put Maine Road in front, before Aidan Gorre coolly slotted home his side’s second goal after they had been gifted a penalty.
Steeton halved the deficit quickly, Alex Stewart setting up Macca Smith to score, but the visitors soon restored their two-goal lead.
Brilliant work from Gold Badmus down the right ended with him squaring the ball across for Gorre to fire home his second goal of the afternoon.
Steeton got back into the contest on 37 minutes, when Stewart’s cross was only partially cleared to Harvey Green, whose brilliant half-volley swerved past Oliver Brockbank and into the net.
But the Chevrons then gifted Kaine Williams a goal on a platter, giving him all manner of time and space down the right to go through and score.
Lewis Gartland and Smith still had time to go close before the break, but Steeton went into half-time 4-2 down.
Mason’s men were far better defensively after the break, and they probably edged proceedings.
But they did not create any real chances until late on, with Jake Townsend hitting the post and forcing a decent save out of Brockbank.
Owen Williamson headed a free kick over the bar before fellow Steeton substitute Josh Debenham did find the net, scoring a last-gasp penalty following a push in the box.
But there was no time left for Steeton to find an equaliser, as they were left to rue their first-half display.
Steeton’s next game is at mid-table Bacup Borough, where they will rubber-stamp safety for certain if they win and Route One Rovers lose against Maghull.
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