Emley AFC boss Richard Tracey was at a loss to explain his side’s defeat at high-flying Eccleshill United on Saturday.
The Pewits went down to a 2-1 defeat but Tracey said: “We created enough chances to win two or three games.
“We could have been two or three up by half-time but then we conceded a soft penalty and that got them back in the game.
“Then we had a one-on-one to go 2-1 up but within 90 seconds we go 2-1 down. That’s what happens when you play sides at the top of the table.”
Emley took an 8th minute lead when Jimmy Eyles set up Joe Jagger to side-foot into the bottom corner.
The Pewits held onto the lead until the break but conceded a harsh penalty three minutes after the restart when Sam Pashley was adjudged the culprit. Talent Ndlovu scored from the spot.
Eyles forced Edward Wilkzinski into a good save before Eccleshill struck what proved to be the winner in the 66th minute when Luke Aldrich clipped his finish over Sam Kelly.
George Doyle and Eyles both had good chances to salvage a point but by the final whistle Tracey was left scratching his head.
“We are not a million miles off,” he said. “We came to a side second or third in the league and out-performed them.
“The result stands on us because we could have had eight or nine.”
Emley next take on Athersley Recreation at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground on December 28 (3.00).
