Lancaster City fall short against table toppers

Lancaster City fell to defeat against the league leaders, after a hard fought contest at the Giant Axe.

Lancaster huffed, puffed and knocked the ball around nicely in the second half but found it difficult to break down a stubborn Cleethorpes defence, who kept their 10th league clean sheet of the season.

There was a handful of changes to the starting side who drew away at FC United of Manchester as Sidi Fofana, Dylan Moonan and Steven Yawson came back into the fold.

The first half chance fell the way of the Dollies, as Yawson floated a curling effort just wide of the far corner.

As the game approached the tenth minute mark, Cleethorpes defender Callum Foster opened the scoring after heading in from a corner.

The Dollies came inches off responding 12 minutes later, when Sidi Fofana's 20 yard effort deflected just inches wide of the bottom left corner.

Brad Kelly made a fantastic reflex save from close range to deny Cleethorpes captain Bailey Conway ten minutes before half time.

After the break, the visitors came mightily close to second goal, as Josh Walker tapped onto the inside of the post before Joe Amison managed to clear.

Lancaster began to apply some second half pressure with lengthy spell of possession, but the closest we came was through Charlie Bailey, who smashed a fierce volley over the bar from a tight angle.

With just under 20 minutes left to play, Cleethorpes substitute Liam Hughes did well to nicely set up a 20 yard volley, however Kelly was equal to it, tipping it over.

The away side would seal the three points soon after this, as Hughes was tripped by Kelly after attempting to round the goalkeeper.

The attacker then stepped up and hammered the ball into bottom right corner to double Cleethorpes' advantage with 13 minutes remaining.

Kyle Brownhill headed into the goalkeeper's arms three minutes later, after failing the test the 'keeper any further, the referee blew his full time whistle.

The Dolly Blues go again on Saturday 14th November when we travel to Gainsborough Trinity.

Thank you for your terrific support this afternoon.

Lancaster City: Kelly, Flanagan, Brownhill, Amison (Lawson 78'), Oliver, Fofana (Nolan 84'), Tweedley, Moonan, Evangelinos (Mansell 84'), C.Bailey (S.Bailey 89'), Yawson

Cleethorpes Town: Battersby, Gallimore, Grist, Ravenhill, Bramwell, Foster, Fewster (Hughes 58'), Conway (Wilson 84'), Walker (Ackroyd 78'), Ainley (Braithwaite 58'), Pavan (Blunden 58')