Below par Lancaster City come back from Teesside empty handed

Lancaster City lost ground on the chasing play-off pack as a solitary goal was enough to dispatch a below par Dollies on Wednesday night in Teesside.

Stockton Town, also in the close knit group of teams on the fringes of the play-off places were also looking to keep the pace of the chasing pack and they started out the blocks quickest and it would be a pace they would be able to maintain all evening with minimal resistance.

Aidan Dowling, Lancaster’s player of the match on the night, was busiest in the opening 15 minutes, firstly to stop Joshua Scott after Charlie Bailey misplaced a clearance, and again five minutes later to expertly stop Joshua Baggs from close range.

Lancaster City did establish a foothold into the game, getting further up field but without creating any chances of note, before the hosts took the lead on 40 minutes.

Kevin Hayes held off Harrison Beeden and the ball bounced through to Joshua Scott, Dylan Moonan tried to force him wide but Scott managed to get a shot off and it nestled  in the bottom corner.

The second half carried on with the same theme as the first. Michael Sweet with a couple of chances in the opening 10 minutes of the half, one flashing just wide and the other saved by Dowling.

Aidan Dowling was called into action again on 65 minutes to save an Adam Nicholson header. Michael Sweet almost made it 2-0 after picking the ball up from Lewis Leech, but his deflected shot was just wide.

Changes were made by Chris Willcock through the half and in the last 10 minutes the Dollies were pushing to be on the offensive, which almost paid off in injury time.

Josh Abbott charged into the box down the right hand side, but his effort was blocked and it fell to Lawson who from 10 yards out fired over.

Lancaster City were consigned to the first defeat in four games and the first loss of 2025, with a performance to forget.

City are next in action with a trip to Leek Town on Saturday (January 18).