It was a miserable Saturday for Bradford area clubs in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League structure.

The three of the five clubs from the district who had fixtures – Thackley and Liversedge had a blank weekend – all lost.

Albion Sports took the lead at Heanor Town but the home side ran out 2-1 winners, condemning the visitors to a second consecutive defeat.

The goals have dried up for Albion, who had been on a run of seven straight wins before a 1-0 loss at Athersley Recreation last Wednesday.

Albion assistant manager Pav Singh said: “We should have put the game to bed when we had the chances and we should have been a couple up by half-time.

“It is really disappointing because we are creating plenty of chances but not putting them away at the moment.

“It was just like the second half at Athersley but I’m sure if we keep playing the way we are, the goals will start going in again.”

Daniel Facey gave Albion a 12th-minute lead with his 20th league goal of the season but Heanor hit back through Nick Hall following a 39th-minute corner.

Five minutes from time, Nathan Benger fired a screamer into the top corner. Even then Albion had a chance to grab at least a draw but Tom Jackson fired over after a good run.

Brighouse Town’s promotion push is also being stalled as they lost 2-1 at Barton Town Old Boys. The result means Paul Quinn’s men have taken just two points from the last possible nine.

It was a swift return for Brighouse against Barton as the clubs had played out a 1-1 draw at the Dual Seal Stadium last Tuesday.

The visitors got off to the perfect start when Ryan Hall netted in the first minute. But the home side levelled through Gareth Owen five minutes later and Bradley Ricketts struck the winner from the penalty spot nine minutes from time.

The defeat drops Brighouse down to sixth place, while Barton climbed to second as they displaced Thackley.

It was no better for Eccleshill United in Division One as their ten men lost 2-0 at Shaw Lane Aquaforce.

Former Thackley marksman Chris Coy had given the home side a 36th-minute lead but the Eagles were still in the game until Marcus Edwards got his marching orders just before the interval.

Edwards appealed for what he thought was a penalty after Shaw Lane keeper Jamie Green challenged him in the six-yard box. The referee waved play on and Edwards clattered into Green, who had possession of the ball by then, sending the keeper sprawling and giving the official no option but to brandish the red card.

Danny Barlow added the home side’s second in the last minute. The win took Shaw Lane to the top of the table while the Eagles stay fifth, five points behind the new leaders.