Consett picked up an important point with a tremendous battling display away to Northern League champions and current league leaders Bedlington Terriers. The Steelmen deserved their reward following a gutsy display by the whole team, with goalkeeper James Platten, making his first appearance of the season after suffering an injury in pre-season, in inspirational form.

Bedlington started well and Platten was tested after only five minutes when Milner took advantage of an error but the Consett keeper made a great save (the first of many) at the striker’s feet. Three minutes later Lawson’s cross was deflected goalwards by Consett defender Johnny Brown but Platten was equal to it. But the Terriers took the lead after 14 minutes when Lawson’s cross from the left was headed home by prolific marksman Milner despite Platten getting a hand to it.

Consett looked to put the home rearguard under pressure and they went close after 19 minutes when Chris Hodgson fired into the side-netting following Colin McLeod’s flick on. Five minutes later a free-kick from Bedlington’s Chapman dipped just over the bar. The Steelmen created a half chance ten minutes before the interval when McLeod laid the ball off for Mark Lee but he shot across the face of goal.

Half Time Bedlington 1-0 Consett

Consett started the second period by taking the game to the champions and they almost levelled after 51 minutes. Hodgson went on a superb run beating two defenders but with only the keeper to beat his shot hit the post and Andrew Thompson’s follow up effort was blocked by Hildreth. Five minutes later Platten had to be alert to save Chapman’s effort at the foot of the post. Then seconds later, at the other end, Powell turned a goalbound effort from Scott Wilson over the bar following another good run and cross by Hodgson, whose pace was causing the Terriers defence problems.

After 62 minutes ex-Newcastle player Ian Bogie fired in a powerful 25 yard drive but Platten dived full length to his right to superbly tip the ball around the post. Then three minutes later The Steelmen shocked the home side by levelling the scores, Mark Lee floating a free kick over the static Powell into the far corner of the net, the free-kick having been taken only six yards in from the goal-line. 

It was always likely that The Steelmen would face a barrage in the closing stages, and so it proved. Their cause wasn’t helped when Johnny Brown was sent off for his second booking only two minutes after the equaliser following an altercation with Bedlington’s Roy Allen. Consett manager Colin Carr re-organised by switching Gareth McKenna from right back into the centre of defence, and it paid off as McKenna did his job superbly in the closing stages.

After 71 minutes the home side almost re-took the lead when Chapman’s shot in a crowded goalmouth looked to be going in, but Rod Butler cleared off the line. Ten minutes later Milner, unusually for him, wasted a great opportunity when he headed over from Cockburn’s cross. In a frantic finale it was Consett’s keeper Platten who kept the Terriers at bay. With six minutes to go he made a great save to deny Allen at the back post then two minutes later he did well to hold onto Milner’s well struck shot.

It seemed as though Consett had held out, but in stoppage time Allen broke through the defence and looked odds on to snatch the winner, but Platten made another tremendous save as he turned the ball away for a corner, which came to nothing. After four tortuous minutes of added time the referee finally blew the whistle and The Steelmen could at last celebrate a hard won point which could prove vital in their relegation battle.

Full Time Bedlington 1-1 Consett

ANDREW PEARSON