Bamber Bridge suffered their first league defeat since November, as Hyde United ran out 1-2 winners at Ewen Fields.
The hosts went ahead through Luke Porritt, but Alistair Waddecar’s goal late in the first half sent both sides in level at the break. Despite that equaliser, it was Darren Kelly’s men who hit the front again in the second half through centre half Tyrone Gay, which proved enough to earn the three points.
Brad Carsley pulled up in the Brig warm up, meaning Matt Dudley came into the starting 11.
The first chance of the game fell to Kieran Charnock, but the Brig centre half headed the ball just over the bar from the corner on four minutes.
Chances were at a premium in first 15 minutes, with Janni Lipka’s shot from distance the only meaningful effort from the hosts. However, two minutes later, Porritt opened the scoring for Hyde after a surging run down the left and a neat finish to beat Lloyd Rigby.
Brig’s response to falling behind was positive and Lewis Nightingale came desperately close to equalising when his free kick struck the crossbar from 20 yards.
After a significant flurry of snow, the game became tighter with neither side able to really gain a foothold.
A lovely link up on the half hour mark saw Regan Linney find Adam Dodd inside the box, but the left back’s first-time effort was collected by the Hyde goalkeeper, Peter Crook.
As the snow swept away and the sun came out, Brig levelled with five minutes of the first half left to play. Lloyd Rigby’s goal kick over the top beat everyone and Waddecar latched onto it to drill home the volley from inside the box.
HALF TIME: Hyde United 1-1 Bamber Bridge
Neil Reynolds made one change at the break, with Jamie Milligan replacing Danny Forbes.
The second half followed the same pattern of the first in the opening exchanges, with neither side really giving an inch.
Brig did fall under pressure on the hour mark, as Paddy Miller crashed an effort off the post, before Gay saw his header saved, and a couple minutes later, the latter did find the net to put Hyde back in front with a bullet header from the corner.
Neil Reynolds’ side rallied once again but couldn’t break down a stubborn Hyde backline as the snow continued to fall on a blistering cold afternoon.
Waddecar came close to netting his and Brig’s second five minutes from time, but his header agonisingly looped the wrong side of the post.
After that the hosts showed no signs of surrendering their lead and saw the game out to end Brig’s impressive league run.
There’s no time for Brig to dwell on this one though, as they gear up for another crucial game on Tuesday night when they welcome South Shields to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.
Listen to manager Neil Reynolds thoughts after the game HERE.
Full gallery of match photos HERE.
Match reporter: George Hodgson (@GHodgsonSport)