ALBION exited the UniBond League Challenge Cup with a whimper after losing 2-1 against Cammell Laird.

Gary Finley's side could very easily have suffered a much heavier defeat against a Laird’s team that showed far more enthusiasm and desire to progress.

Newly-signed striker John McAliskey struck a low shot into the net in the 12th minute but the former Huddersfield Town and Mansfield striker was hugely disappointed when his well-hit effort was ruled out due to an infringement in the build-up.

Three minutes later, the disappointing Peter Heler short-changed Jamie Tandy with his under-hit pass, leaving the left back no alternative but to drag Laird's Jed King back.

Thankfully he was not last man and escaped with a caution.

A nice move involving Mike Moseley, Heler and Brad Maylett then saw the latter’s 25-yard shot denied by a flying save from Richie Whiteside to push the ball out for a corner.

John Corrigan should have done better for the visitors on 20 minutes, having worked himself into a good position, but he fluffed his shot.

McAliskey had the ball in the net again four minutes later but this time he was adjudged offside, by the narrowest of margins, and the visitors soon found the net themselves.

Laird forced a couple of corners in quick succession and when the second one was floated past Joe Clegg in the 33rd minute a quick ball back into the danger area saw striker Shaun Tuck convert the simplest of chances.

Paul Henry popped up on the left flank four minutes from the break but his curling effort was caught by Whiteside.

Albion were guilty of sloppy defending in the 54th minute, Paul Booth too slow in reacting to a Laird throw-in on the left, meaning Brian Pritchard was put under pressure and played a weak ball back towards Clegg.

Corrigan nipped and forced the keeper into fumbling the ball, leaving him an empty net to extend the visitors' lead.

A 65th minute Tandy free-kick saw Stuart Rudd’s headed effort caught at the second attempt by Whiteside but the overdue introduction of Lee Neville eventually saw Albion attack with far more purpose.

They got back into the contest in the 82nd minute when Steve Foster showed what a great goal-poacher he is by pouncing on the ball before Whiteside could deal with the danger.

With Witton pushing forward for the equaliser, gaps were left at the back and a Laird player was guilty of a terrible miss, blazing over after the ball had rebounded off the crossbar.

Neville shot narrowly wide of the post from long-distance, while his cross was headed just over the bar by Booth.

Clegg produced a superb block in the final minute of normal time to deny substitute Ronnie Morgan.

With a far more lucrative cup-tie coming up on Saturday Albion will be hoping to get quickly back to winning ways against Brigg Town.

Witton Joe Clegg; Paul Booth, Brian Pritchard, Stuart Rudd, Jamie Tandy; Brad Maylett, Steve Hall (Steve Brodie h/t), Paul Henry, Peter Heler (Lee Neville 73); Mike Moseley (Steve Foster h/t), John McAliskey. Att 138.