PLAY-OFF chasing Whitby Town were denied a tremendous victory over Evo-Stik League premier division leaders Skelmersdale by two cracking strikes.

The Blues led 2-0 in front of a crowd of 268 on Saturday thanks to goals by Steven Snaith and, after the break, Graeme Armstrong, from a deep cross by Mark Robinson.

However, Skelmersdale quickly hit back as left-back Tom Ince hammered a loose ball into the net and top scorer Dean Astbury curled home a 20-yarder.

Both sides had further chances in a fine game, with Armstrong’s claims for a late penalty for a foul by Ince waved away by the referee.

On New Year’s Day, Whitby drew 1-1 at Frickley Athletic, skipper Mark Robinson equalising for the Blues with his first goal of the season.

Darren Williams’s outfit, the league’s club of the month for December, now have only one loss in 12 games but dropped to ninth in the table, albeit only two points off fourth place.

This Saturday, they travel to fifth-placed Rushall Olympic (3pm) for another play-off six-pointer.