A tremendous point for Consett against very strong opposition, made all the more creditable by having been retrieved from a two goal half time deficit. Brandon went into this game second in the Northern League Division One with the incentive that victory would see them replace the inactive Bedlington Terriers at the top of the league. The Steelmen, playing their first game in a fortnight, kept faith with much the same team as the one that played so well against Tow Law last time out - Steve Smith at right back instead of David Gray being the only change.

Brandon keeper Cole punches clear

The visitors seemed intent from the outset on seizing the opportunity to go top of the league as they dominated the early stages. Brandon's pace in all areas was a constant threat and this was exemplified in the ninth minute when they broke quickly from a Consett corner to present Marsden with a chance from the edge of the area, which he pulled wide.

Thompson passes under pressure

Seven minutes later though, Brandon took the lead through a simple set piece goal. Anth McStea's right wing corner was met by a soaring Chris Neil, and his powerful header from 10 yards gave Kelly no chance. A minute later, Brandon almost doubled their lead when Ewart cut in from the left wing and fired in a rising shot from the edge of the box, which Kelly gratefully held.

In the 19th minute Consett finally got in on the action when Scott Wilson fed Tony Halliday who cut inside a couple of defenders to get a fine left foot shot in at goal, which went just wide. Consett's only other real chance of the half came 15 minutes later when Andrew Thompson curled a free kick round the wall which United keeper Cole easily gathered.

Brandon however were the much better side in the first half, although for all their possession and passing and movement they created relatively few clear cut chances. One such chance was converted though nine minutes before half time. The impressive McStea burst into the Consett area and his square ball was laid back by Marsden to Richie Pitt who hammered home a low drive.

With Brandon two up and in control it seemed highly likely that they would simply extend their lead in the second period. However Consett's never-say-die spirit was never more evident than in the second half of this game. Colin Carr brought on Kieran McGinlay for Neil Lowdon at half time and Consett were suddenly a transformed team. They started causing the visitors problems right from the restart and 10 minutes into the second half they pulled one back. Lee Suddes took a corner from the right which eventually broke to Scott Wilson who fired in a shot from the edge of the area. Cole, presumably seeing it late as it emerged through a ruck of bodies, fumbled and although Colin McLeod's first attempt to convert the rebound was blocked, Tony Halliday was on hand to turn it home from close range.

Halliday lets fly and goes close

The contest on Consett's left flank between Andrew Thompson and Brandon's Anth McStea was a fascinating feature of this match. McStea had much the better of the first half, driving Brandon forward, and making both United's goals. The second half was a different story though as Thomma was in the ascendancy, and on the hour mark he almost equalised when he broke clear to shoot just wide.

McLeod is beaten to the ball

Eight minutes later though better was to come for Consett. Thompson skinned McStea on the left wing, and after surging past him he played an excellent ball into the area which Halliday slid in to meet at the edge of the six yard box. Tiger's contact was good enough to beat Cole and Consett were level.

Brandon threatened little in the second half, with McStea tied up in defensive duties and McGinlay bossing the midfield for Consett. Brandon's non-stop running in the first half seemed to result in them running out of steam in the second, although they did come close in the 73rd minute when a 20 yard free kick from Steve Huggins skimmed narrowly wide of the upright with Kelly beaten.

As the game entered its final stages though Consett seemed the more likely winners and with four minutes to go they almost snatched it when Lee Suddes' right wing cross was met by a towering header at the back post from Colin McLeod which went agonisingly wide.

In the end though a definitive game of two halves ended even, which seemed about fair, and it certainly provided splendid entertainment for a decent sized post Christmas crowd.