PENISTONE Church lost ground on one of their main promotion rivals with a 2-0 loss on Saturday afternoon.
Victory over Winterton Rangers would have put them in a strong position to push for second spot behind runaway leaders North Ferriby.
But goals in either half, from Paul Grimes after half an hour, and Josh Walker’s clinched victory three minutes into added on time.
Church are now fourth in the NCEL Premier Division and seven points behind second placed Winterton.
Penistone coach Brett Lovell said: “In the first half we let ourselves down in most areas.
We went in at half time and told the lads we were disappointed, everything we’d said prior to the game just didn’t happen.
“The second half, we got more on the offensive, we put balls in behind their centre halves and made them defend but without really testing their goalkeeper.”
Church return to action on Wednesday night when they host tenth placed Handsworth.
Division One Athersley Rec sank to the bottom of the division after conceding three goals in the final ten minutes in their 3-0 loss to Harrogate Railway.
Worsbrough Bridge drew 0-0 at home against Wakefield AFC.
They are now eight points above the drop zone.
