Thackley 1

Ossett Albion 0

A penalty two minutes into injury time from substitute James Russell earned Thackley this unlikely victory over long-time Northern Counties East Premier Division leaders Ossett Albion.

The home win lifted the Bradford side one more place up the table to sixth but it severely dented Albion's hopes of clawing the leadership back from Brigg Town.

While the visitors were rampant in the goalless first half - chasing the elusive three points which ironically would have seen them re-gain the leadership from Brigg who lost 2-1 at Harrogate Railway - Thackley matched them in every department after the break.

It was the epitome of a game of two halves but Thackley manager Andy Taylor scoffed at suggestions that he tore into his players during the interval.

"It was very calm and we just sat down and talked through a few things," said the delighted boss. "There were no raised voices and no tea thrown across the room.

"We realised that even though they are a good side we could give them a game. If you like we showed them a bit too much respect in the first half. Our players had heard so much about their side that they were a bit intimidated.

"Once we reached half-time still level it was a confidence boost. I told our lads that although they had had most of the possession they hadn't created any real chances and we could make our mark in the second half.

"It was a turning point when Richard Cornwall saved their penalty in that we started to believe it was our day."

It was young substitute Russell who took the responsibility when they got their own spot kick after Mick Carter brought down Nicky Hey, who only returned to Thackley last week, when he confidently fired in his side's stoppage time winner.

"I noticed all our players were celebrating the penalty but they all turned away from it. James stepped forward and I knew he fancied himself to score, he takes the penalties for the reserves so I was confident he could handle it."

Albion manager Eric Gilchrist has crossed swords at Dennyfield in fierce derby fixtures in his previous role with Liversedge so he knew exactly what to expect and he concurred with Taylor's overall view: "For all our possession, especially in the first half, we hardly gave their keeper a save to make. The longer the game went goalless the more likely it was that the home team would nick it and that proved to be the case, we can have no complaints."

It was Albion who controlled the first half but one block save by home keeper Cornwall - from a low Jay Horne drive - was the only real effort on goal.

Steve Downes had some success down the right flank keeping Ally Long and Matt Surtees busy but Cornwall was equal to their crossing and corners.

In the second half Downes never got a touch as Thackley competed for every ball. When skipper Craig Sugden leaned on Duncan Bray in the area it looked as though Albion had finally got their breakthrough but Cornwall did well to save and then gather Chris Shaw's spot kick.