Marine 2-3 Hyde United

Marine were defeated by the odd goal in five as a last-gasp Scott Spencer free-kick gave visitors Hyde United victory at the Marine Travel Arena. Sean Hessey was able to name an unchanged side following Saturday's win at Frickley Athletic, with Sean Myler being named on the bench on his return from injury.

In the opening exchanges both teams tried to find their range with Luke Holden's effort comfortably clearing the Hyde crossbar, Spencer's effort at the other end producing a similar result. In the 4th minute Gray gave the Whites a taste of things to come as he found space in the box but his goalbound effort was bravely blocked by Mitch Duggan.

The Tigers roared just a minute later as a corner was only half-cleared by the Mariners, Gray's cross to the far post was headed back across goal by Bevins for Fitton to nod home from six yards out.

The Hyde front pairing of Bevins and Spencer were already looking menacing, and they almost created a second as Spencer's cross was met on the half-volley by his strike partner but Bevins scuffed his shot and the ball trickled through to Matt Cooper.

Holden then threatened down the Mariners' left and sent in a low cross which visiting custodian Stanek spilled but centre-back Harris was first to react and cleared to safety for the Reds.

Hyde doubled their advantage on the quarter hour to leave the Whites facing an uphill battle for the second week in succession. Gray made strides down the right as the visitors countered and his low centre was only half-cleared by Andy Nicholas. The ball fell to Fitton on the edge of the area and although Cooper made a fine parry the rebound fell to the same player whose somewhat mishit follow-up managed to wrongfoot the unfortunate Liam Willis on the goal line.

The Whites sought a way back into the game and gradually managed to pose something of a threat, although more often than not their crossing let them down, hitting the first defender on numerous occasions. Mitch Duggan managed to swing over a decent ball which was met by Danny Mitchley who headed well wide of Stanek's right-hand post.

Holden then produced a good delivery as his driven corner saw Chad Whyte attack at the near post but his header lacked purchase and the ball skimmed comfortably wide of target.

Bevins then had his heels clipped a couple of yards outside the Marine area but full-back Neville's subsequent free-kick sailed a couple of yards over the home crossbar.

Five minutes before the break the mercurial Holden almost produced a goal from nothing for the Mariners. From 35 yards out just a couple of yards in from the left touchline the wily midfielder's audacious effort had Stanek scrambling, the ball thudding off the crossbar and although Mitchley was first to the rebound his shot was deflected behind by a recovering Hyde defender.

After a delay to allow visiting skipper Killock to leave the pitch having taken a knock, Holden's corner was met by the onrushing Willis who couldn't quite adjust his position to direct his header on target, the ball flying narrowly over the bar.

In stoppage time at the end of the opening period Bevins looked to settle matters having been found by Gray, but his curling shot from just inside the area sailed a yard wide of goal. Half-time arrived with the Mariners looking to regroup having been outplayed by a skilful and disciplined Hyde outfit.

In the second half Bevins was again the first to threaten as his goalbound effort from the edge of the box forced another fine block by Duggan. The on-loan Tranmere youngster then looked to set the Whites on the counter, as he combined well with Tom Owens who played the ball inside to Carl Peers. Owens then looked for the return but Peers' intended pass was slightly too heavy and the ball ran behind for a goal-kick.

Peers then tried his luck from distance following a quick throw-in but his shot was comfortably held on the bounce by the green-garbed Stanek. Mitchley was next to threaten as the Mariners looked to up the tempo, the ex-Skem striker firing a couple of yards over from just outside the area.

Andy Owens was introduced and looked to cause the Hyde rearguard the same sort of problems as in August's meeting between the sides at Ewen Fields. Sure enough, the momentum of the game shifted markedly in the space of three minutes as the Mariners hauled themselves level with two superbly taken goals. On 63 minutes Danny Mitchley was felled a couple of yards outside the Hyde box in a central position. Luke Holden stepped up and planted his curling left-footed strike into the top right-hand corner to give Stanek no chance, despite the 'keeper's despairing dive.

The goal seemed to shake the visitors who have showed inconsistent form following their relegation from Conference North, and just two minutes later the Whites levelled matters. The in-form Mitchley showed Fagin-esque stealth to pick Wilkinson's pocket on the edge of the centre circle before racing towards goal. Mitchley kept his composure to coolly side-foot past Stanek and register his second goal in as many games since signing for the Mariners.

With the wind well and truly in their sails the home side now looked the more likely to go on and grab all three points, a scenario which had seemed incredibly unlikely at the interval. However the next quarter of an hour saw the game become scrappy with numerous stoppages including treatment for players on both sides.

The Tigers began to regain their composure and looked for a winning goal of their own, and with ten minutes remaining substitute Burke almost buried the home faithful's hopes once again as his low cross-shot evaded the visitors' onrushing attackers and the far post.

Still the Mariners pressed, and with five minutes remaining Tom Owens did well to win possession in midfield before finding Holden wide on the left. The ex-Wrexham man sent in a first-time cross which was well held by the sprawling Stanek with Andy Owens lurking.

Mitchley then received the ball just outside the Hyde box but saw his well struck right-footer deflected behind by substitute Muscat.

That proved to be the Whites' last chance of the evening, and in the second minute of added time referee Holmes awarded a somewhat elementary free-kick to the visitors a yard outside the Mariners' area. Spencer assumed responsibility and placed a clever low shot inches inside Matt Cooper's right-hand upright to send the vociferous travelling support at the Crosender Road end wild with delight.

Despite six additional minutes being played in total the Whites couldn't find a further equaliser and so slipped to their third league defeat of the campaign.

The Mariners are in EvoStik Premier Division action again on Saturday as they travel to the Weaver Stadium to face high-flying Nantwich Town.

Marine: Matt Cooper, Mitch Duggan, Stephen Wainwright, Liam Willis, Carl Peers (Karl Clair 64), Andy Nicholas (c), Luke Holden, James Foley, Danny Mitchley, Chad Whyte (Andy Owens 56), Tom Owens.

Unused subs: Lewis Codling, Sean Myler, Ollie Sharman. Cautions: none

Hyde United: Jindrich Stanek, Ryan Ellison, Lee Neville (James Burke 74), Joe Wilkinson, Shane Killock (c) (Michael Muscat 42), Spencer Harris, Sam Fitton (Jordan Snodin 83), Andy Pearson, Scott Spencer, Ayrton Bevins, Reece Gray.

Unused subs: Peter Boyle, Big Khamsuk. Cautions: none

Goals: Marine; Holden (63), Mitchley (65)
Hyde United; Fitton (5, 15), Spencer (90)

Referee: Mr Richard Holmes
Assistants: Mr Steven Holden and Mr Michael Hooper

Attendance: 290