MATCH REPORT: Lancaster City 1 Hyde United 2

Lancaster City fell to a narrow defeat against Hyde United in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Despite getting back on level terms through a Sam Bailey penalty, the Dollies were undone just moments later by a James Kirby winner on 50 minutes.

Jimmy Marshall's men huffed and puffed but couldn't find another equaliser in Saturday's clash at Giant Axe.

There was one change to the XI from the midweek win over Warrington Rylands, with goalkeeper Brad Kelly returning between the sticks.

High on confidence after Tuesday night, Jim Craig almost fashioned a chance for himself early on. After spinning a defender, he darted forward before seeing his effort charged down and blocked by Hyde's Yann Songo'o, formerly of Morecambe FC.

The first real opportunity fell to Lancaster, specifically Steven Yawson. After a nice passing triangle on the edge of the box between Nic Evangelinos, Jim Craig and Yawson, the latter rolled an effort into the arms of the Hyde 'keeper.

The Dollies crafted a real sight of goal following a quick break-away, Evangelinos bent the ball round to Yawson who opted to take the selfless route and square it to Nathan Caine.

Unfortunately, the ball sat up on it's way over, leaving the attacker to fire over.

We would rue the missed chance five minutes later.

Hyde's Taylor McMahon got on the end of a ball across goal to poke it under the helpless Kelly.

Down but not out, the Dollies came out fighting in the second half.

A S.Bailey long throw in caused havoc, as Sekouba Sanogo was held back, the referee pointed to the spot.

S.Bailey took responsibility and smashed it into the bottom left corner to level the scoring.

However, barely two minutes later and the visitors restored their lead, as Kirby latched onto an awkwardly bouncing ball and placed it past Kelly.

For the next 40 minutes, Lancaster threw everything but the kitchen sink at Hyde United.

James Bailey got round his man before pulling it back across goal in search of fellow substitute Dom Lawson, but the attacker was agonisingly short of the ball.

Cross after cross into the Hyde penalty area but we couldn't find a way to break the stubborn Tigers defence down, resulting in the visiting side taking all three points.

Lancaster will next face Redcar Athletic on Tuesday August 18 at 7:45pm.

Lancaster: Kelly, S.Bailey (B.Moonan 81'), Sanogo (Nolan 79'), Amison, Oliver, D.Moonan, Tweedley (C.Bailey 79'), Craig, Evangelinos, Caine (Lawson 64'), Yawson (J.Bailey 64')

Report by Connor Philipson, Lancaster City website