Prestwich Heys were left to rue missed chances as they suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Abbey Hey on Tuesday night.

After Saturday’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Stockport Town this was a much improved performance by Heys in which for periods, they were the better side, particularly in the second half.

However, despite creating many chances, five of which were one on one with the keeper, they were unable to claw back Christopher Rogers 25th minute strike for the visitors.

The home side gave a debut to new signing, from Ashton Town, Jordan Southworth and in only the second minute he had the chance to put his name in lights as he was put through on goal but his shot was straight at keeper Ellis Allen.

As Heys maintained their early momentum Southworth had another one on one opportunity three minutes later but Allen was again equal to the task to save, but the danger was still not over, with the ball breaking to Dylan Fitzgerald, who fired wide.

Having weathered the early storm the visitors responded with a good spell of their own and Heys keeper Louis Hood twice had to be alert to keep out Jake Dunford and a raking goal kick by his opposing number. Allen.

The shift in momentum was underlined in the 25th minute when Abbey Hey took the lead. When a cross was driven into the far post, Rogers rose confidently to head past the despairing dive of Hood.

There was a positive response from Heys as they enjoyed the better of possession, without being able to fashion a chance and it took a timely defensive intervention by Erike Sousa to deny Jake Forshaw the opportunity to double the away side’s lead.

The half ended though as it had begun with another golden chance for Heys as Fitzgerald broke into the box but his low shot was too close to Allen who saved.

On the restart, Heys picked up the pace and four minutes in Captain, Shay Stansfield created an opening for Fitzgerald, but his fierce shot was repelled by Allen.

The play was largely being played in the visitors half but it was Hood who was next in action as he saved low from Forshaw.

Heys continued to knock on the door, forcing several corners, but there continued pressing almost left them exposed at the back and in the 70th minute former Prestwich player Kayle Power put a close range chance into the side netting.

Another chance came and went for Heys in the 77th minute when Sonny Reeves was put in space but his shot was straight at the keeper.

As the game entered the final stages, the momentum was with Heys, but the harder they tried the less likely it appeared it would not be there night as Reeves saw a shot palmed to safety and then deep into added time Finley Stanyer was thwarted by Allen, who got the faintest of touches to send the shot over with what proved the final chance.

On a night of contrasting weather conditions and which at one point featured a double rainbow, there was to be no pot of gold for Heys.

Heys are away at Worsborough Bridge Athletic in the FA Vase First Qualifying Round on Sunday (3pm) before returning to League action next Tuesday at FC St. Helens Town (7.45pm).