A HOST of missed goal-scoring opportunities in the first half proved costly for Kendal Town as they lost narrowly at Ossett Town.

Boss Lee Ashcroft's plans were inconvenienced when goalkeeper Rick Whiteside suffered an injury in a training session on Thursday night, forcing the 11th-hour signing of his replacement, veteran Mark Thornley.

New striker Peter Wright, who netted in a winning debut in midweek, should have seen Kendal off to the prefect start as the ball fell kindly at his feet well inside the area with just three minutes played.

However, he somehow steered his low shot the wrong side of the upright.

The recently returned Ged Smith, operating alongside Wright, then went close with a curling effort.

The home side had just seen striker Fothergill shoot wide of the target before a 25-yard strike from Richard Marchant gave the hosts a 20th-minute lead.

Undettered, Kendal finished the half with a rattle as Ian Kilford ran on to Wright's precision pass only to dwell too long on the ball, and Smith was on the end of two creative Kendal moves without being able to trouble the home keeper Jon Worsnop.

A second goal arrived on 58 minutes, Hayward crossing from the right and Fothergill, despite being surrounded by three defenders, arrived to force Thornley into a fine initial save.

The rebound though was kind to the home striker, who made no mistake at the second attempt.

The busy Wright struck late for Kendal, pulling one back a minute from time.

Deep into added time full back Paul Sparrow almost grabbed an equaliser with a header which narrowly missed the target.

H Star man: Peter Wright - livewire with good natural technical ability and could be the key to survival.

HOW THEY RATED: Thornley 6, Sparrow 6, Byrne 6 (Arnison 48min, 6), Whittal-Williams 6, Taylor 7, Fowler 6, Osborne 6, Kilford 6 (Hill 82min, 6), Smith 6, Wright 8, Redhead 6 (Foster 68min, 6). Att: 139.