ALBION, weakened due to injury and a flu epidemic, were only four points adrift with 17 minutes to play.

But again injuries kicked in and they conceded 22 points in those last minutes with only 11 men on the pitch.

Behind to an early try, they hit back when superb passing saw Stuart Davies score in the corner, converted from the touchline by Danny Houghton.

They were unlucky not to consolidate the lead before Blackbrook scored after 20 minutes.

A Blackbrook kick ahead was fielded by full back Chris Holme under his own posts.

He beat the oncoming defence with a series of sidesteps and accelerated away down the middle of the field to touch down under the posts for a 100 metre try.

Houghton converted and Albion led 12-8 only for a converted try by Brook to give them back the lead. Albion again conceded an early score in the second half but hit back when Houghton stole the ball in a one-on-one tackle to cross for a try and at 16-20 it was anyone's game until those fatal final minutes.

Special mention to Danny Gilmore, Chris Holme, Craig Wood, Stu Davies and Mark Lynch in the backs while Danny Houghton, Chris Freeman, Craig Yates, Paul Davies kept going against a bigger pack.

Veteran prop Andy Davies made the hard yards when called on.

The Albion host Orrell St James next week, kick-off 2pm at Leigh Rec.

Training at St Peter & Paul on Tuesdays, 7pm-8pm and Leigh Rec on Thursday at 6.30pm.