The headline is not as bad as it sounds after the home side still hit with several injuries gave away two soft goals against one of the promotion favourites Prescot Cables at the NBe Brokers Stadium on Friday night.

In a game of two halves Hanley edged the first half, Town's Will Arnold had a shot blocked, Fin Pattison was through in on goal but superb defending by the visitors denied the winger a clear shot at goal.

Prescot's winger C.Trapasso-Tully was always a threat to the Town defence on the break, getting to the by-line and putting dangerous balls into the box which were brillantly defended by the returning captain Joel Stair from injury and fellow centre-back Kyle Stubbs.

Hanley almost took the lead when a Sanchez Phillios run and pass found Lewis Porter whose shot took a wicked deflection off a Cables defender over the keeper but was somehow brilliantly cleared right on goal line as the ball was about to bounce into the net.

Hanley though did make the breakthrough two minutes before half-time, a Lucas Sant corner was met by J.Stair and a Cables defender with the ball falling kindly for Lewis Porter to fire his 15th goal of the season into the net.

Half-Time:
Hanley Town 1 - 0 Prescot Cables

Prescot Cables were much improved in the second half some superb defending by the Town back line in the opening minutes of the second denied the visitors a leveller, and keeper Mikey Shorthouse returning from injury pulling off a brilliant save to deny the visitors. And Tioffo firing wide unmarked 12 yards out after being set up by Trappasso-Tully.

But on 57 minutes Prescot got a deserved equaliser, a corner was whipped in and with Hanley unable to clear the ball fell for Cables J.Loughran who fired into the net from close range. Hanley's Sanchez Phillips on loan from Stoke City run before smashing a 25 yard shot inches past the post.

Hanley looked to be getting a foothold in the game but were caught on the break when a run down the right and low cross when aStubbs sliced clearance went straight to C.Trapasso-Tully who hit a first time shot into the roof of the net.

Hanley pressed to find an equaliser with a Devante Ramsey run and curling shot forcing Prescot keeper Thompson into diving to his left at full stretch to save. At the other end Town keeper Mikey Shorthouse had to dive at the feet of Loughran to deny the visitors a third. In the dying minutes Hanley pressed for an equaliser but some superb defending by the visitors denied Hanley clear cut chances.

Joel Stair back from injury battling with Prescot Cables Defenders from a corner which lead to the, (see below). Joel is Sponsored by MEDS UTILITIES:

Photo By Sharon Shorthouse Photos:

The ball falling for Lewis Porter to fire Hanley Town into the lead. Lewis is Sponsored by LEE NEWELL - HOME IMPROVEMENTS:

Photo By Sharon Shorthouse Photos:

Hanley Town keeper Mikey Shorthouse first game back after being out injured for a number of weeks pulling off a superb save to deny Prescot Cables #17 J.Loughran.

Photo By Sharon Shorthouse:

Sanchez Phillips the young right back on loan from Stoke City unleashing a 25 yard pile driver that went agonisingly inches wide.

Photo By Sharon Shorthouse Photos:

After playing Saturday/Midweek/Saturday/Midweek since August the first team have a break with next Saturday's league fixture away against Stafford Rangers off due to Stafford Rangers being in FA Cup action. Hanley Town are next in action at the NBe Brokers Stadium against Port Vale in the Staffordshire Senior Cup on Tuesday 10th November kick-off 7:45pm.