LANCASTER City were beaten by Emley for the second time this season at the Axe on Tuesday night.

The home side started brightly with both Brian Welch and Phil Brown missing good scoring opportunities as Lancaster dominated the opening exchanges.

Emley's first goalscoring opportunity came on the half hour when a dangerous cross found pacy striker Michael Reynolds whose volley was saved well by Mark Thornley.

Lancaster appeared to have taken the lead on 33 minutes when a swirling corner by Andy Lyons was spilled by the keeper and bundled over the line only to be disallowed for a foul on the keeper.

Lancaster continued to be in control with Emley's only attacking threat coming through flashes of stealth from Reynolds.

Lancaster were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time when Andy Whittaker was brought down by Nicky Wood.

Whittaker stepped up but his powerful spot kick produced a good save from Paul Cuss.

Half-time arrived and Lancaster went into the dressing room unfortunate not to have taken the lead.

Lancaster started the second half brightly with a dangerous cross from Paul Rigby winning a corner and Brian Welch producing a nice piece of skill before shooting straight at Cuss.

However, Emley began to get on top of the game, producing some nice passing moves.

On the hour, Emley won a penalty with the ever threatening Reynolds tripped by City captain Kenny Mayers.

Gary Hatto stepped up to smash the penalty past Thornley and put Emley in front.

Reynolds continued to threaten and, on 61 minutes, Kenny Mayers was booked after appearing to stamp on him.

Lancaster pressed forward in search of an equaliser with substitute Lee Clitheroe troubling the Emley defence.

In the dying minutes Andy Lyons whipped in a cross which Farrell Kilbane headed inches wide.

Manager Tony Hesketh remained upbeat despite the result: "On another night we could have won that game 4-1.

We had the chances and the lads are disappointed not to pick up the three points."

Bamber Bridge old boy Andy Whittaker inspired City's thrashing of his old club at the Axe on Saturday.

The veteran striker returned from suspension to score a brace against the side he left in summer.

Relegation threatened Brig started brightly, but Kenny Mayers was able to open the scoring with Andy Whittaker knocking an Andy Lyons cross for his skipper to finish past former Blues keeper Cyril Sharrock.

Lyons and Whittaker combined again before the break, while Whittaker added his second early in the second half.

Substitute Jamie Skeoch pulled one back for Brig but Brian Welch scored the fourth with a characteristic long-range effort.

Lancaster must now make the long journey to Blyth Spartans on Easter Saturday.

While City' s first team are at Hucknall Town on Easter Monday, Giant Axe is going to be a hive of activity, with the annual William Smith Easter Football Festival taking place.

As well as the primary school soccer tournament, visitors will be able to enjoy a car boot sale, fairground attractions and Bay Radio roadshow.

Also at Giant Axe this week, the England Ladies Under 17 team will be in training from Thursday to Saturday.