A FOURTH straight defeat in the Evo-Stik League north leaves Brighouse Town second from bottom, although they can take some heart from their late consolation strike in the 3-1 loss at Colne.

Town tumbled in the table after two consecutive postponements and they were always going to be in for a tough test away at Colne.

Two early goals for the home side had Town on the back foot and it was no surprise that they could not recover.

The Reds took the lead on the quarter hour at the Utility Renewals Stadium when Alex Curran’s header from Lee Pugh’s cross nestled in the top corner.

Just four minutes later, Curran turned provider as his through ball sent Ollie Crankshaw away and he slotted the ball through George Clarke’s legs.

Town conceded a penalty minutes after the hour mark which Clarke saved, but Curran was able to follow up on the rebound and tuck home.

Brighouse forced a corner five minutes from time and Kegan Everington’s flag kick delivery dropped at the far post for Aaron Martin who made no mistake as he slotted in.

Vill Powell’s men stay in 21st place while the victory for the Lancashire club means that they leap from 10th to seventh. The Reds are now immediately below the play-off places, five points adrift but they have three games in hand.