IT felt like a one-man quest to score at times last night for Thackley winger Aiden Chippendale, but he could only find the net once, as his side lost 2-1 against Hallam at Dennyfield.

It was Thackley's first home defeat under new joint-managers Tom Greaves and Danny Forrest, but the pair will be left wondering how that was the case against their mid-table rivals from Sheffield.

The Dennyboys were on top early on in this Northern Counties East League Premier Division clash, with Chippendale firing an effort over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Hallam seemed to be affected by the loss of their former Sheffield Wednesday defender Daniel Pudil to an early injury, and they soon let Chippendale in again.

Hallam stopper Hugo Warhurst came out to head away, and the Thackley man tried to lift the loose ball into an empty net, but his floated effort was cleared off the line.

Chippendale then struck a corner straight off the post.

But the visitors finally began to gain a foothold in the game, and after Iren Wilson fired wide after getting through down the left, it was they who took the lead after half-an-hour.

A free-kick was floated into the area and former Liversedge striker Oliver Fearon beat Thackley keeper Luke Wilson to the ball and headed home.

Chippendale then had an effort deflected out for a corner, before new signing Finn Donovan limped off injured on debut.

Thackley blocked a dangerous Hallam attempt behind on the stroke of half-time, but they went further behind when they gave the ball away deep inside their own half 10 minutes after the break.

Hallam took full advantage, as they worked the ball to Iren Wilson, who fired the ball past his namesake in the Thackley goal from the edge of the box.

Substitute Prince Attakorah crashed a shot over the bar for Thackley after good work by Mark Everingham down the right, before Chippendale struck a free-kick wide.

But he made no mistake moments later, firing a free-kick from the edge of the box under the wall and beyond Warhurst.

Ben Grech-Brooksbank almost equalised for Thackley at the death, but his long-rang strike was smothered well by Warhurst.

Campion had no such trouble on home soil last night, the runaway leaders thumping Athersley Recreation 4-0 at Scotchman Road.

It was always likely to be a long night for NCEL Division One basement-dwellers Athersley, and that proved to be the case as soon as the second minute, when Dan Illingworth headed home a corner.

Skipper Aidan Kirby continued his good form in front of goal by doubling Campion's lead 10 minutes before the break.

Luke Rhodes crashed home a header to make the score 3-0 after an hour, before Aidan Day fired home a fine fourth goal from 20 yards out in the last minute.

Brighouse Town were involved in a gripping match at struggling Carlton Town in the Northern Premier League East Division, eventually winning 4-2.

Brig were in front at the break due to an early Mohammad Qasim goal, and doubled their lead just after half-time through Nathaniel Crofts.

When Jack Boyle made the score 3-0, the game looked to be over, but Bradley Wells pulled a goal back and then the visitors had Mohammed Ibrahim sent off.

But Crofts eased any nerves with his second goal with 12 minutes to go, before Niall Davie netted a late consolation for the hosts.

Brighouse also brought on Cole Roberts late on, the youngster having just joined on loan from Bradford City.

Another young Bantam, Charlie Wood, has been loaned out this week to a club in Brighouse's division, high-flying Stocksbridge Park Steels.

One tier higher, and Liversedge are in major relegation danger in the NPL Premier Division.

They were thumped 5-2 at leaders South Shields, former Bradford City winger Dylan Mottley-Henry netting twice for the hosts.

George Proctor and Nicholas Walker were on target for Liversedge, who do have games in hand, but they are 10 points from safety.

In the same division, Guiseley saw their play-off ambitions take a hit, as they lost 1-0 at FC United of Manchester.

The hosts had Andy Halls sent off midway through the second half, but the 10-men found a winner at the death courtesy of striker Matt Van Wyk.

Finally, Farsley Celtic are now just a point away from safety in National League North, Andy Butler scoring for them in a 1-1 draw at bottom side AFC Telford United last night.

But the Celts will have to do without star striker Jimmy Spencer in their relegation battle, after he joined divisional rivals Curzon Ashton earlier this week for an undisclosed fee.