Nick Black and Tadcaster Albion could not find a way past Cleethorpes. Picture: Ian Parker
Marc Cooper struck the only goal 87th minute volley as Cleethorpes Town snatched all three points in an uninspiring match as Tadcaster Albion suffered a hangover from Wednesday night’s terrific win at Worksop Town.
Billy Miller was forced into making one change to the side that beat Worksop as Dan Clayton picked up a groin strain so Ryan Woodhead was given his first league start of the season at left-back.
It could have been another flying start for Tadcaster inside the first 60 seconds as Adam Baker was released in behind on the right hand side and beats a Clee defender but his cross was just too far behind the on-rushing Josh Greening.
It was a quiet start to the contest on a horrible day weather wise with constant downpours and gale force winds but the first effort at goal finally came after 18 minutes as a corner was cleared out only to Jimmy Beadle and his shot was awkwardly deflected but Miley Fenty adjusted well in the Cleethorpes goal.
A second Tadcaster corner moments later nearly ended up in there own net as The Owls broke away with pace as Brody Robertson was slotted in behind and just as the striker was about to pull the trigger, Andy Milne came flying in with a terrific last ditch tackle on his way back from the set-piece.
With the second half underway, the game unfortunately for the spectators stayed the same way, both sides giving the ball away far too cheaply and too often as well as both sides not hitting the target, even the shots at goal were few and far between.
Just past the hour mark and the travelling Tadcaster fans thought for a split second that they had taken the lead as Liam Ormsby’s free-kick bent round the wall but unfortunately nestled into the side-netting.
Cooper was the man for the home side that looked the most likely to break the deadlock as he shot narrowly wide in the 67th minute.
With the match going nowhere, it looked absolutely nailed on to finish goalless as Gary Stevens had to make a decent save to keep out Jon Ogleby’s curler.
It felt like one of them matches where both teams just weren’t at the races however the home side did snatch the victory with three minutes to go.
The ball fell to Liam Dickens 24 yards out whose strike was met by Jason Mycoe, Matt Heath and Ryan Woodhead before it dropped to Marc Cooper on the edge of the penalty box who volleyed into the back of the net via a slight knick off Milne.
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Armstrong, Woodhead, Milne, Heath, Mycoe, Baker, Ormsby, Greening, Black (Stewart 82), Beadle (captain). Subs unused: Beestin, Barrett, Clayton, Conway.
Thanks to Jay Taylor for this report.