BRIGHOUSE Town U21s suffered a 5-4 loss away to Ilkley Town in the West Riding County FA Development League.

Brighouse started well but conceded against the run of play and the hosts added a disputed second before making it 3-0.

Brighouse scored a well-taken goal to reduce the deficit just before half-time and they added second after the break.

Ilkley restored their two-goal advantage following a mistake by the Brighouse goalkeeper, who up to that point had played really well.

Ilkley looked to have secured all three points with a fifth goal but instead of getting their heads down, this seemed to invigorate Brighouse, who dominated for the last 20 minutes.

Brighouse pulled two goals back and had a penalty appeal turned down as Ilkley defended well and hung on.

The goal-scorers for Brighouse were Regan Metcalfe (2), Warren Hildred and Kaine Hall, with Toby Harris (2), Tom Archer, Benji Claydon and Charlie Nixon on target for Ilkley.

Brighouse assistant manager Barry Thomas said: “Overall Ilkley deserved to win and their experience, older age and strength was just too much for our young squad. But a lot can be taken from the last 20 minutes when we dominated the game and were unlucky not to get something from the match."