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Consett successfully avoided an eighth consecutive away defeat with this battling draw at Dunston Federation Brewery. With the teams above and below them in the league
– Prudhoe and Peterlee – also drawing their games the same evening, the point was vital to maintain Consett’s position in the league. Influential skipper Jeff Sugden returned to the Consett line up after a three-week holiday, with Richie Lognonne making way in the only change from the team hammered at Billingham three days earlier. |
Darren Grimes lets fly.
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Right from the start Consett were under pressure and the home side took the lead after just seven minutes when a deflected Turner cross was headed in at the far post by Farrey. Fears of a deluge soon subsided though as a pretty turgid first half ensued. Although Dunston had the better of things, few chances were created by either side.
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McLeod takes on two defenders
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Midway through the first half Kraig Wilkinson tested Platten with a low drive which James saved diving to his right. On 28 minutes, in what was the visitors’ only real goal scoring opportunity of the first half, Darren Grimes was set up by Andrew Green following a Colin McLeod flick on. The Consett utility man’s shot was easily saved however.
Three minutes before the interval Wilkinson beat the offside trap before playing the ball to Thompson who forced a good block from Platten. Rod Butler protested rather too vehemently about the lack of an offside flag and was booked for his troubles. |
Half Time Dunston 1-0 Consett
The second half got off to a sensational start with the visitors being awarded a penalty in the opening 20 seconds when McLeod was held in the area. Consett’s leading scorer slammed home his 18th goal of the season from the resulting spot kick, with a large proportion of the crowd oblivious of the fact due to still being in the bar!
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Dunston reacted to being pegged back by throwing everything at the Steelmen for the first 25 minutes of the second half. Three minutes after the equaliser Foster curled a free kick over the wall, but Platten anticipated well and saved easily. In the 58th minute Hogg threaded a pass through to Thompson who slipped the ball past the advancing Platten only to see the ball rebound off the post. Consett failed to clear properly and seconds later Wilkinson volleyed over when well placed at the back post. |
Eyes on the ball!
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With the game entering its fourth quarter, Shore embarked upon a fine run and his rising shot was saved by Platten at full stretch. Then, with 20 minutes to go, Dunston struck the woodwork again when Hamill cut in from the left and hit a sweet 25 yard drive which hit the bar with Platten beaten.
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McLeod heads just wide.
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Having survived all Dunston could throw at them, Consett dominated the closing stages and threatened more than once to snatch all three points. Darren Grimes had a fine shot with the outside of his right foot from the edge of the area saved as it headed for the top corner. With 13 minutes remaining a spell of Consett pressure ended with Gareth McKenna’s low shot being parried by Phillips in the Dunston goal, but he recovered to gather the ball with Andrew Green ready to pounce.
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With eight minutes to go Thompson almost wrapped it up for Dunston when he latched on to a ball over the top, but he shot wide under good pressure from Steve Smith. In the end though a draw was a fair result, although Consett remain 4 points adrift of safety.
Full Time Dunston 1-1 Consett
JPH
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