Brighouse TOWN won the big Northern Counties East League derby at the Dual Seal Stadium but they did not have it all their own way against ten-man Thackley.

The home side edged a tense Premier Division encounter 2-0 after a goalless first half, during which time the Dennyboys saw striker Mark Bett sent off for what appeared to be verbal abuse.

The former Avenue, Guiseley and Farsley man was dismissed in the 40th minute. Town then made the breakthrough just two minutes into the second half as a cross from open play picked out Shane Hamilton and he converted.

Brighouse had to wait until the 66th minute to double their lead when Tom Matthews, who had seen a fourth-minute shot parried onto the post by Thackley keeper Matt Convey, netted on the turn from a tight angle.

Town spokesman and vice-chairman Ray McLaughlin said: “It was far from a straightforward win because Thackley were in it all the way.

“I think that second goal was the killer for them and Tom probably deserved it because it came just after he had hit the bar.

“He hit the post in the first half but the ball was still alive from his shot against the bar when he turned to score.

“It was a big loss for them when Bett got sent off because he and (Nicky) Matthews had caused our defenders a lot of problems.

“He is a quality player but he let himself down because I think he made a gesture to the assistant referee after another Thackley player had been booked for a foul.

“It was nothing to do with Bett, he just got himself involved. But even with ten men I think they had 60 per cent of possession.”

Neighbours LIVERSEDGE, beaten at home by Brighouse on Boxing Day, enjoyed a 2-1 victory thanks to a late winner at basement outfit Selby Town.

The home side had a new boss in the dugout for the first time but Sedge took a 20th-minute lead through Dave Boardman.

Matt Friend levelled for the home side just over three minutes before the break but Danny Cooper hit a last-minute decider for Billy Miller’s men.

The big local clash in Division One was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Eccleshill UNITED’S Rapid Solicitors Stadium and it cost scheduled visitors ALBION SPORTS top spot.

Albion are now second after Brendan Ormsby’s Pontefract Collieries overtook them with a 3-2 win at third-placed Glasshoughton Welfare.

But Sports do have two games in hand on the new leaders and trail by just one point, while Eccleshill are in eighth place.