Emley suffered only their second away league defeat of the season as they lost 1-0 to North Ferriby in a tight contest on the banks of the Humber.

The first half goal was enough to seal the points for the hosts who were made to defend doggedly by an Emley side desperate to keep their 10 match unbeaten run going, it was only the fourth goal we had conceded on the road in the league all season and the first goal we'd conceded away since December.

Despite the loss, there were lots of positives for the Pewits, a solid debut from Emmaisa Nzondo from Barnsley's U21's and a return to action for local hero Joe Clegg and leaders Cleethorpes also dropped points in a draw with Pontefract.

The game was even throughout with both sides slugging it out for 96 minutes, but took a while to get going, Luke Parkin's free kick was the first real effort on goal but was cleared at the back post before Donae Lawrence tried a long ranger but he swept it wide, and Lawrence was at the heart of Emley's next attack but he couldn't quite get the position for a shot.

Nzondo was impressive with his runs and harrying of defenders and he set up the next chance, after a corner was partially cleared, Lindley lofted the ball back in, Nzondo set up Luke Parkin but his shot curled wide. At this point it appeared that Emley were getting on top.

Ferriby had attacked down the slope towards Emley's left edge from the off and almost all their attacks were coming from that area, Emley dealt with most of them but but conceded on 27', a cross from deep on the right, Emley's left, found Tom Corner who steered a good header past Lambton for the opener.

It was a cruel blow for Emley, but it could have got worse a minute or so later, this time, from a corner , a header was planted goalwards but Lambton was down quickly and early to stop it. It was now North Ferriby who had the upper hand and Emley were forced into some last ditch defending, a shot just past the half hour was wide as the hosts looked to double their lead.

Luke Parkin was booked as he cynically brought down a Ferriby man as the break was ensuing, but gradually, Emley worked their way back in to the contest and pushed Ferriby back, a corner from our left was dealt with by the keeper, first punching off the head of an Emley player and then a good catch from the second ball in.

Ferriby then saw a header put wide and forced Lambton into another good save almost on half time as Ferriby ended the half strongly, and then right before the break, an almost trademark Harry Sheppeard defensive save, scurrying from right to left to end a promising attack down our left with a superbly timed challenge.

H/T- North Ferriby 1-0 Emley.

The first half was pretty even but Emley dominated the second half somewhat, with Ferriby forced to dig deep to keep their goal intact.

An equaliser looked almost inevitable not long into the second half when ex- Ferriby star Amir Berchil found himself with a chance at the back post, Sheppeard and Lawrence combined well down the right and Lawrence's shot was deflected into the path of Berchil, whose touch looked to be heading in but somehow, a defender managed to block it almost on the line, the Emley fans behind that goal were ready to celebrate.

Nzondo then created a chance for himself with some good work, chasing down a ball downfield and outmuscling the defender before planting a shot straight at the keeper who did well to hold onto it.

Emley were really cranking up the pressure, forcing Ferriby back and causing them to resort to fouling, but Emley couldn't get any reward for their efforts, a good run by Lawrence brought a foul and a free kick just outside the area, Parkin's ball in was just missed by Clayton who nodded over.

Emley's first change came on 66 minutes and a welcome sight for the Emley fans, Joe Clegg returning back to the fold following his injury rehabilitation, replacing the industrious Chris Dawson, and it didn't take long for Cleggy to get back into the action, another free kick for Emley for the usual crass foul on Berchil saw Clegg step up and beat the wall but a headed deflection sent it for a corner, Emley were camped down at that end for a while but couldn't get any change out of a well organised defence marshalled well by keeper Bottomley.

Clegg again was involved in the next chance, setting up Hayden Lindley but his shot was smothered by the keeper, a minute later, another chance for Emley, great persistence by Parkin set up Lawrence, but he couldn't quite time a header and the keeper again foiled the Pewits as Baldwin replaced Hardaker on the left.

Ferriby had hardly been out of their half in the second period and showed glimpses of trying to hit Emley on the counter, but good defending by Clayton and Barks at the back kept the hosts at bay for most of the second half.

77 gone and still Emley attacked, this time, down our right, where it opened up for Harry Sheppeard who was encouraged to take a shot, which he did but that was also saved by the keeper, it was all Emley but they just couldn't get a breakthrough, it seemed every loose ball was mopped up by a home defender, every bounce lander their way but Emley kept plugging away.

The keeper was having a top game for Ferriby and he denied Nzondo when he nicked a Parkin cross off the Emley strikers' head, he then watched as Donae Lawrence spun, turn and fired wide, it was to be Lawrence's last act as he gave way to Nathan Curtis with 5 to go.

Emley had tried everything to get an equaliser, but they just couldn't get a break, Berchil shot over after stepping in from the left and then Curtis caught a half volley from Sheppeard's fine ball in well enough but couldn't steer past the keeper, 6 minutes added time were announced but time was running out for Emley.

Lambton was a virtual spectator at the other end, clearing up backpasses from effective sweeping up jobs from a steadfast Emley defence, but the Pewits would have two more chances very late on, after a spell of pressure, a long throw by Baldwin was flicked on by Clayton and Nzondo was there to get the header but the keeper made a fine save low down to his right to deny the youngster, and finally, Curtis caught another volley but couldn't keep it down and it was blazed over.

And so, Emley suffered only their second defeat in fifteen games and finally conceded again away from home, it was a win that earned North Ferriby a league double over Emley and moved them up to fourth, 6 points behind second placed Emley, who now travel to 5th place Dunston on Saturday as the play off race intensifies.

F/T- North Ferriby 1-0 Emley.

Attendance- 353

Emley- Lambton, Sheppeard, Hardaker, Lindley, Clayton [c], Barks, Parkin, Dawson, Nzondo, Lawrence, Berchil:
Subs used- Clegg, Baldwin, Curtis:
Unused- Kenny, Metcalfe

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Hayden Lindley