COLWYN Bay suffered a blow to their Evo-stik North playoff hopes with a 2-1 reverse at rivals Tadcaster Albion.

The Seagulls were left rueing a poor start to the second half which was the catalyst behind their downfall, and they are now four points behind sixth-placed Albion with a game in hand ahead of their home clash with Ossett Town on Saturday (3pm).

Manager Alan Morgan, said: “There is still a long way to go (13 games), so we dust ourselves down and go again on Saturday.

“That early goal in the second half changed the game. We were the better side the first half and could have been one or even two goals ahead, but then we have given away a really soft goal straight after half-time and that has got their tails up.

“We started to force it a bit and got a bit ragged as we’ve pushed players forward chasing the game and they’ve hit us on the break for the second goal.

“It is a disappointing, but we should have everybody back for Saturday against Ossett Town and we’ll have a good training session on Thursday to prepare for that.”

The away side were unfortunate not to go into the break a good to the good after an effort from the prolific Astley Mullholland rattled the crossbar, while Louis Barnes and Will Booth also went close during the period.

After the break saw the hosts grab the initiative within 36 seconds of the restart when Aiden Savory headed home from a right wing cross, and the same player was on hand to double their advantage following a quick counter attack on 87.

A nervy ending was assured when Gaz Grant pulled one back for the visitors in stoppage time, but despite their best effort they were unable to find a crucial leveller.