BARNOLDSWICK Town fell to their first league defeat since August 7 last night, as they paid the price for not taking their chances in a 3-2 home defeat against City of Liverpool.

The hosts threw everything at their Merseyside opponents, with Andrew Hill, Zack Dale and captain James Crorken all left wondering how they had not found a way through in the first half.

Dreadful defending allowed Thomas Peterson to put the visitors 1-0 up at the break though, and he doubled that lead seven minutes into the second half.

Matt Barnes' side thought they had pull a goal back, but saw it ruled out for handball, before Jamie McDonald made it 3-0 to Liverpool with 15 minutes to go.

Elliott Fenton slid in a late cross for the hosts before the diminutive Dale surprised everyone by netting with a header. Town then cracked a last-gasp effort over the bar, as they were left to rue their late onslaught coming to nothing.

Barnoldswick also crashed out of the FA Vase on Saturday, a slow start costing them in a 4-2 defeat at Northern League side Guisborough Town.

The visitors found themselves 3-0 down in the Second Qualifying Round after just 23 minutes, with Steven Roberts' 12th minute strike sandwiched by a double from Nathan Steel.

Although Barnoldswick created the odd chance, careless mistakes and sloppy play were costing them and they failed to reduce the deficit before the break.

The interval gave Matt Barnes' side the chance to clear their heads and they made a much better start to the second half, as Shaun Airey scored with a left-footed drive after 48 minutes.

Jack Coop made it 3-2 with 20 minutes left and he nearly equalised late on, but was denied by a fine save from Jordan Nixon.

That proved crucial when Steel registered his hat-trick with a header from a corner. Barnoldswick then fired a good late chance over the bar, as their cup dreams died for another year.