Prestwich Heys suffered a 2-1 extra time defeat at Stocksbridge Park Steels in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round replay on Tuesday night.

Lee O’Brien and James Hampson’s side gave an excellent account of themselves in a hard fought and sometimes bruising contest but a goal from Alex O’Connor in the 97th minute proved decisive for the hosts

Prestwich started well and Connor Berry saw a shot come off the post in the 7th minute. Although the home side came into the game, with Russ Saunders pulling off a good save to deny Thomas Poole, Heys edged the first half and went in at half time a goal to the good

The goal came in the 42nd minute when a Kaiden Barlow shot was blocked sparking a scramble in the box and Kai Haigh finished from close range.

The hosts came out strongly at the start of the second half and levelled in the 55th minute through Gareth Curtis who seized on a lose ball after a good initial save by Saunders.

Heys had to weather a rocky spell thereafter but clawed their way back into the game and twice went close in the closing stages through Berry and Omar Mbowe.

Then came extra time and the goal for the hosts, which came from a lightning break up field, after Heys appeals for a handball in the box had been waived aside, and O’Connor finished from 12 yards out.

Heys rallied with Rob Payne going close with a header but despite their efforts it just wasn’t to be their night.

Heys had earned a replay after staging a thrilling comeback on Saturday as they came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against the Sheffield side, who play one level higher than Heys.

It had looked like the South Yorkshire side were going to return home with victory after scoring two goals late in the first half through Luke Rawson that put them in command at the interval.

This was after Heys had been the better team in the opening quarter without being able to make it count. However, they battled back in the second half and pulled one back through Kaiden Barlow with eight minutes to go before Tyler James netted a last gasp leveller.

Heys are back in league action on Monday when they travel to Barnoldswick Town