Town squander two-goal lead as they make disappointing County Cup exit

Otley Town turned in another poor performance on Saturday when they were knocked out of the West Riding County Cup by Grassington United.

Goals by Scott Firth and John Lock looked to have put the West Yorkshire League Premier Division side on top but they failed to capitalise.

Careless errors allowed their Mastab’s Craven League opponents to get a foothold in the game and they took full advantage to record a surprise victory.

Town’s vulnerability at set pieces and the disruption caused by having to chop and change the team, certainly didn’t help.

Striker Ian Craven was the main beneficiary of Town’s misfortune as he helped himself to a hat-trick.

He headed the first goal from a Paul Wright free kick and levelled the scores with another header early in the second half.

Nigel Wood fired the third goal before Craven completed his hat trick when he tucked the ball home after another free kick from Wright had hit the post.

Grassington sealed the victory with the goal of the game from Declan Hawkins after superb work from Tarek Issa.

Town return to league action at Horbury on Saturday (2pm).