Thackley 1, Brigg Town 3 - Thackley slipped out of the top six of the Northern Counties East League Prem-ier Division when they went down at home to second-placed Brigg Town.
The north Lincolnshire outfit rode their luck at times, despite the slanted scoreline, and would have been delighted to be travelling back with a maximum return.
"We were very unlucky, but that's football," said Thackley manager Andy Taylor.
"I said to the lads at half- time to go for it, push up and if they get two late goals that flatters them then so be it.
"They are doing very well in the league, have had a good cup run and their confidence is high, but they have beaten us here because they capitalised on two half- chances.
"I'm disappointed for the lads and disappointed for us on the management side because we did well.
"It typified how well we had done because they felt they had got out of jail.
"There are a lot of positives though. Our work ethic was fantastic, we competed in every department, and at times were the better team.
"But they are in form in the league and we expect a tough game from them.
"They are going to take the half-chances and they are going to win games in the last 15 minutes - they have the guile and the experience."
It took Brigg, who reached the first round of the FA Cup this season, just 11 minutes to get in front at Dennyfield.
And the opener came from a mistake by keeper Richard Cornwall.
He handled the ball outside his area and Steve Carter then curled the free-kick round the wall and into the top corner.
Brigg took their lead into the break, sailing close to the wind when it looked like Thackley striker Andy Patter-son had been brought down inside the area, and that sparked Taylor's 'go for it' plea.
His side certainly did that and levelled in the 79th minute.
Matt Surtees, still holding down a place among the strikers after his conversion from centre back, netted a great header from Andy Midgley's right-wing cross.
Thackley, though, were soon floored after another contentious decision.
Brian Brooks was adjudged to have fouled Simon Drayton in the area and Carter netted his second dead-ball kick.
As they pushed forward the home side were caught out, Simon Roach got on the end of Luke Cadman's threaded ball, and though Cornwall parried his first effort he swept in the rebound.
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