ROUTE One Rovers enjoyed a spectacular first season at semi-professional level in 2023-24, but they are currently experiencing that difficult second album.
The Bradford side, along with Garstang and Skelmersdale United, are beginning to get cut adrift in the bottom three in the North West Counties Football League First Division North.
It is all a far cry from a few months ago, when they only narrowly missed out on making the play-offs by five points.
Rovers have lost eight of their 11 league games so far this season, and their latest defeat might have been the most painful of all.
They were at Daisy Hill, with both sides having their chances, but neither able to find the net.
But that all changed at the death, as the hosts secured a last-gasp 1-0 win with a goal five minutes into second-half stoppage-time.
The defeat leaves Route One seven points from safety already, with Bradford District rivals Steeton being the side immediately above them.
The Cheverons remain stuck on 12 points after losing 2-1 at Ashton Athletic on Saturday, Ethan Hudson-Parker netting a late consolation for the visitors.
Over in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, Steeton’s neighbours Silsden were at home in their derby against Eccleshill United.
That finished 1-1, with Nash Connolly’s early strike cancelled out at the start of the second half by visiting midfielder Josh McKiernon.
In-form Thackley enjoyed a brilliant away day at Winterton Rangers, recovering from going a goal down early on to win 5-1.
Nathan Hunt and Tawheed Ahmed had the Dennyboys in front midway through the first half, before Ben Grech-Brooksbank struck twice and Joe Mitchell netted their fifth.
Thackley and Silsden are both in the play-off berths currently, but Albion are not too far behind them.
They hosted Knaresborough Town on Saturday, with Tom Ponter putting them 1-0 up at the interval.
The visitors hit back after the break and looked to have pulled off a 2-1 win, only for Lewis Waddington to strike at the death to claim a point for the Bradford side.
Campion left it late to claim a 2-0 win at Parkgate thanks to goals from Aidan Kirby and Mackenzie Fraser.
Brighouse Town bowed out of the FA Trophy at the first qualifying round stage, after drawing 1-1 with Clitheroe before losing 5-3 on penalties.
Romario Dunne was the man on target for Brighouse, but his late equaliser proved to be in vain.
Liversedge were also knocked out, as they lost 2-1 at home to Avro in the last minute.
Joe Walton had put the hosts in front early in the second half, but the visitors hit back and squeezed into the next round.
Guiseley were superb in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, with leaders Hyde United humbled 4-0 by the hosts at Nethermoor.
Leo Farrell’s double was the highlight for Guiseley, while Will Longbottom and Reece Kendall also found the net for Mark Bower’s side.
Finally, in National League North, Danny Greenfield scored late on for Farsley Celtic as they beat their hosts Needham Market 1-0, giving new boss Pav Singh his first win in charge.
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