A Will Shawcross double was not enough to give Prestwich Heys the victory they sought in pursuit of a top four spot as they let slip a two-goal lead at Daisy Hill.

Despite looking like they might swamp their relegation threatened hosts in the early stages of the game, Heys never pushed home that superiority as general sloppiness and a malaise that has all to often prevailed in their play this season came to the fore.

Heys made the perfect start taking the lead inside the opening minute. It was a goal that was to prove in keeping with an untidy, scrappy game that lacked any real quality.

Indecision between home keeper Ryan Tweddle and his defence allowed Danny White to close the stopper and block his attempted clearance with the ball rebounding and rolling almost apologetically into the net.

Heys football was full of early purpose. Cory Knight headed just wide and Liam Healey and Rio Wilson-Heyes both went close.

It was the latter that paved the way for Heys to double their lead in the 16th minute. A great run down the right ended with the wide man rolling a ball across the box for Shawcross to fire a super shot into the far top corner.

However, Heys then became sloppy and the home side seized the opportunity to gain a foothold in the game.

Jamie Ramwell broke into the box before firing wide and then saw a shot tipped to safety by Michael Smith.

Having denied Ramwell the Heys stopper was to then gift him and his side a goal in the 36th minute. Smith inexplicably cleared straight to the home striker and he slotted the ball into the unguarded net.

Three minutes later though, Heys two goal advantage was restored. A Danny White free kick was spilled by Tweddle and Shawcross following up slammed the ball into the roof of the net.

There was still to be another twist in a bizarre first half when in the 44th minute Daisy Hill reduced the arrears again. Ashley Stott used all his experience to draw a challenge from James Dwyer and earn a penalty which was gleefully dispatched by the one-time Heys striker.

The second half opened in untidy fashion with neither side capable of keeping possession and it took a set piece for the first chance to arise when James Dwyer’s header came off the crossbar from a Danny White corner.

Cory Knight saw a shot held at the second attempt by Tweddle shortly after giving rise to hopes would take this game by the scruff of the neck, but that impetus never developed.

Misplaced passing, over elaboration and a general lack of intensity proved the order of the day.

The home side sensed their chance. Connor Lucas glanced a header wide and they squandered some good openings with some wayward finishing.

Heys continued to frustrate in attack and it was not until the 75th minute that they threatened again when a Max White free kick was clawed from under the bar.

Nine minutes from time Daisy Hill finally punished Heys. Stott was the architect with a neat run before rolling the ball across the edge of the box for Hensley Mills to drill a low shot into bottom corner.

Heys rallied and Knight saw a header pushed to safety and Brad Sixsmith shot narrowly wide following a great run.

However, it was too little to late and this result leaves Heys with it all to do if they are to clinch a top four spot and a place in next season’s FA Cup. Their home game with fourth placed AFC Liverpool next Saturday (3pm) now looks pivotal.

TEAM: Michael Smith, James Dwyer, Carl Fitton, Bradley Sixsmith, Jacob Holt, Jacob Wood (Capt.), Danny White, Liam Healey, Cory Knight, Rio Wilson Heyes, Will Shawcross. Subs: Sven Gibson, Jamie Baguley for Danny White 60 mins), Max White (for Healey 64 mins), Kieron Sherlock (for Jacob Holt 23 mins), Lee Grimshaw.