Basford United 3 - 2 Bamber Bridge
A late Will Squires on goal secured all three points for Basford United who moved one point off the play off places.
Ashley Chambers’ double either side of the interval was cancelled out by a late Lucas Weaver brace.
Basford delivered the killer blow in added time as substitute Squires turned the ball into his own goal to keep the three points at Greenwich Avenue.
Lucas Weaver returned after a brief spell back at Altrincham with Billy Hasler-Cregg dropping to the bench.
With less than three mins on the clock, Basford thought they had taken the league after Ashley Chambers calmly slotted the ball past James Pradic. However, the assistant referee flagged offside.
It was that man Chambers again who missed a guilt edged chance to put Basford in the ascendency after Pradic’s poor clearance found the feet of Basford’s number 11, whose effort was inches away from Pradic’s near post.
Lucas Weaver proved a thorn in Basford’s side early on and saw an effort sting the gloves of the experienced Saul Deeney on 15 minutes.
Straight down the other end, and Chambers should have scored another. A poor attempted clearance from Alex Kenyon found the Yellows striker free 12 yards from the goal, with his effort missing wide of the Brig far post.
With 25 minutes on the clock Chambers finally had his goal and the lead for Basford. Kacy Butterfield latched on to a long ball to race in on the goal and with only Pradic to beat he unselfishly laid the ball to Chambers, who rolled into an empty net to give the home side the lead.
After a lengthy stoppage in play, a teasing ball from Jack Baxter was met by an acrobatic Danny Edwards effort which failed to trouble Deeney in the Basford goal.
Kane Richards was the first name into the referee’s book for a cynical foul on Baxter as the interval closed in.
The Yellows had another chance on the brink of half-time, falling to Chambers again. The Basford number 11 latched onto another long ball, before seeing a smart Pradic save denying his and Basford’s second off the afternoon.
The away side started well second half with the tenacious Simon Grand forcing a corner after smart play down the Brig left-hand side.
The resulting corner evaded everyone but Baxter, after a clever corner routine, but his effort didn’t trouble Deeney in the Basford goal.
However, on 51 minutes it was Chambers who secured his brace courtesy of a well-placed header from close range.
The Yellows talisman was in the right place at the right time to meet a teasing cross from Prince Mancinelli in front of the Basford faithful.
Jamie Milligan looked to the bench for Brig, bringing on Lewis Hey for Danny Edwards in a like-for-like change.
With his first touch of the game, Hey tested the gloves of Deeney from a free kick. With his tame effort epitomising the lack of pressure placed on the Basford goal so far.
With 65 minutes on the clock, slick Brig football found Baxter on the edge of the area. His effort stinging the fingertips of Deeney and forcing a corner to the away side.
With the game and the unbeaten run seriously under threat for the away side, it was that man again Lucas Weaver. On 73 minutes, the young winger was expertly found by skipper Michael Potts before unleashing an effort which Deeney could only palm into his own goal.
Momentum now with Brig, Milligan made a double change introducing Will Squires and Chris Churchman for Macauley Wilson and Fin Wallbank.
End-to-end football now at Greenwich Avenue with both sides seeing half chances as the game entered its last ten minutes.
Milligan further turned to his bench introducing Billy Hasler-Cregg for Adam Dodd.
On 83 minutes the comeback was complete, Lucas Weaver notching his fourth goal in two league games.
The on-loan Altrincham man burst away from the Basford full back before firing a shot past Deeney and towards the far post. Taylor Anderson’s attempted clearance could only place the ball into the roof of the net.
Right on top, Brig had big shouts for a penalty as Alex Kenyon was hauled down inside the area. With referee Royston waving them away.
However, it was heartbreak for Brig in added time as a break from Basford unleashed Tyler Dacres down the far side. His cross was inviting; however, the wrong team took the invitation with Squires turning the ball despairingly into his own net.
A disappointing result for Brig, with the unbeaten run coming to an end. However, the turnaround is quick as they host Stockton Town, looking to channel the disappointment the right way at the SFC stadium on Tuesday night.
Match reporter: Ernie Bratherton (@BrathertonE15)
