Avro manager Alex Frost cut a frustrated and disappointed figure after his side’s 100-per-cent record on the road in the North West Counties League Premier Division was ended by an 86th-minute winner from substitute Joe Rothwell, as Prestwich Heys deservedly earned the bragging rights with a 1-0 victory at Adie Moran Park.

A typically hard-fought local derby yielded few clear-cut opportunities, and a stalemate was looking increasingly likely until Rothwell finished off a swift Heys counter attack from an Avro corner.

Afterwards, Frost offered no excuses for the defeat following a below-par display from his charges.

He said: “That is the first time since I took over last year that I have been unhappy with the team’s desire and effort.

“This was a big game for both clubs, and we just did not rise to the occasion.

“I thought we were pretty solid as always at the back, but really poor in possession going forward, we hardly strung three passes together all afternoon.

“Our performance levels have been superb all season even when we have not got the results that we wanted, but we fell well below those standards today.”

The visitors had a couple of key absentees going into the game, with captain Jake Cottrell injured and Liam Ellis unavailable, but Frost refused to dwell on its impact.

He added: “Any team at this level is going to be affected by not having those two in the starting line up, but we still had 16 very good players available to us.

“Prestwich also had absentees, so it’s an excuse we will not be taking, we were just not good enough on the day.”

The outcome might have been different had Jamie Hill not strayed offside in the first half before netting a rebound after home keeper Russell Saunders had kept out a Kane Wallwork free-kick from distance.

And the experienced stopper also reacted quickly to block two goalbound efforts from substitute Lee Knight before Rothwell’s decisive intervention.

Midfielder Alfie Belcher and forward Shaquille Lewys enjoyed promising debuts for Frost’s side, but overall this was an afternoon to forget against the team managed by former Avro management duo Lee O’Brien and James Hampson.

Avro’s under-18 team also endured a disappointing reverse despite a valiant effort against higher-ranked opposition in the FA Youth Cup.

Despite leading 1-0 and 2-1, AFC Fylde’s experience and physical superiority eventually secured them a 5-2 victory in their third qualifying round tie.

Frost’s first team are on the road again on Saturday when they visit Bury AFC (3pm).