BARNOLDSWICK Town slipped to a disappointing home defeat against relegation-threatened Maine Road on Saturday, losing 4-2 in an end-to-end contest.

Town made a poor start to the game, going 2-0 down within the first 20 minutes. Both goals were from an unlikely source, Maine Road defender Jon Mason.

Sandwiched in between Mason's brace, Town had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside.

Despite the shock of falling two goals behind, Barnoldswick regrouped and gained a foothold in the contest after 26 minutes. A cross came in and striker Aaron Hollindrake knocked it home to halve the deficit.

That goal seemed to inspire the home side and they were only denied an equaliser when the opposition goalkeeper Ryan Livesey made a brilliant stop from midfielder Zack Dale.

The game reached half-time with the score at 2-1 to the away side and in a cagey start to the second period, there were few chances.

In the 68th minute though, Dale atoned for missing his earlier chance with a good finish off the post. At 2-2, Barnoldswick looked to be the side with all of the momentum.

However with 15 minutes to go, a sloppy ball in midfield gifted the ball to Maine Road's Jamie Roe. His neat ball through to prolific striker Jack Coop was finished with aplomb.

Town were determined to equalise again, and Andrew Hill must have thought he had made it 3-3 with minutes remaining. However, Livesey somehow blocked his effort and the away side's defence could breathe again.

Roe and Coop made sure that Town paid for missing that chance. With three minutes to go, the pair combined again for Coop to add his second of the match and seal the win.

That game was the first of five consecutive home matches for Barnoldswick and they will be hoping to bounce back from their weekend disappointment tomorrow night with victory over 15th-placed Congleton Town.