PRUDHOE YC Seniors’ excellent run of form came to an end in stuttering fashion as they struggled to break down a resolute Whitley Bay BC Seniors defence.

Scoring an astonishing 29 goals during a four-game winning run, they seemed unstoppable. But, their goalscoring exploits of weeks gone by were halted by the well-organised Bay side.

They were the architects of their own downfall too as both goals conceded in the slender 2-1 defeat were gifts as two back passes fell short of goalkeeper Ryan Chambers.

The Prudhoe shot stopper was called into action first and he pulled off a fine save after just five minutes. At the other end, Sam Brown won the ball high up the pitch and brought an equally impressive stop from the Bay keeper.

The Tyne Valley side dominated the first half but couldn’t get past the determined Whitley back line, Lee Blackburn going the closest but seeing his effort just clear the crossbar.

They remained on the front foot and put the pressure on through a succession of corners and free kicks, but they were punished for failing to make the most of their chances when they conceded on 25 minutes as Chris Conway gratefully intercepted a lofted back pass to make it 1-0.

Prudhoe striker Adam Greenwood has been in great scoring form of late, but even he was unable to find the back of the net as he fired a shot just wide. They were still plugging away, though, and Matty Robinson brought a good save from the Bay goalkeeper after Prudhoe had a goal ruled out for offside.

Just two minutes into the second half, Prudhoe suffered another setback when another attempted pass to Chambers lacked the power to reach him, and it was Ali Scott this time rounding the stopper to roll the ball into the empty net.

Whitley Bay were happy to sit back and defend the lead with their three-man defence keeping everything at bay, until Phil Murray gave Prudhoe hope by sending home a corner on 75 minutes. As hard as the red and blacks tried to find an equaliser, though, they were thwarted time and again, a header from John Hudson being cleared off the line to compound their misery.