Hednesford 1 Whitby 3

Hednesford's UniBond Premier play-off hopes were hit by a surprise loss at home to Whitby.

Sean Platt had to leave the field early in the game with an arm injury after a heavy challenge by Danny Brunskill, Platt was replaced by Ben Bailey which meant a number of positional changes to the defence.

Bailey hit a cross from the left which Tyrone Barnett tamely headed straight into David Campbell's hands and then, a minute later, a good cross from the right by Elliott Durrell was headed just past the left hand upright by Ross Dyer.

The Pitmen's injury problems got worse in the 26th minute, when Danny Harvey had to limp off after a heavy challenge.

He did finish the half but was taken off at the break as Luke Edwards came on.

A long ball forward in the 37th minute was chased by Barnett and Whitby's Richard Forster. Both players were looking up at the ball and as a result Forster tripped Barnett on the edge of the penalty area.

After consulting with his assistant, the referee only cautioned the Whitby captain.

The resulting free-kick was taken by Durrell who tapped the ball to Tom Marshall, who hit a low firm shot under the wall into the right side of the net to give the Pitmen a 38th minute lead.

Whitby drew level two minutes later, when Karl Charlton pounced on a loose ball in the box and from 15 yards turned to hit the ball into the net.

Andy Thompson added a second for Whitby in the 52nd minute when he was left open inside the box and from 10 yards got a touch on a high bouncing ball to steer it past Brock to send the small band of visiting supporters home happy.

Hednesford: Brock, Platt (Bailey 15), Quistin, Gill, Harvey (Edwards 45), Marshall, Hall, Durrell, Barnett (West 75), Dyer, Draper.

Subs not used: Gomes, Woolley

Whitby: Campbell, Ross, Janes, Farthing, Forster, Beadle, Garvie (Ovington 67), Nogan, Thompson, Brunskill, Charlton (Raw 90).

Subs not used: Scott, Lyth

Attendance: 434