Hodgson heads over from close range.

Consett progressed safely to the First Round of the Durham Challenge Cup with this win over Harton and Westoe of the Wearside league. To be honest though the Steelmen made hard work of this tie, although that should not detract from a thoroughly workmanlike performance from their visitors from South Tyneside. With the usual spate of midweek absentees to deal with - eight players unavailable this time including the injured Sugden and suspended Thompson - Consett's line up had a very youthful look about it with Roy Gordon, Neil Lowdon and Steve Smith all in from the start.

After a scrappy start the home side created the game's first opening when Chris Hodgson capitalised on a defensive mistake to find himself with just the keeper to beat, however Carl King saved well with his legs. Ten minutes later Smith had a chance to score his first senior goal for Consett following good work down the right by Colin McLeod. Again though King was out smartly to smother his effort at the edge of the six yard box.

Having survived the early stages Harton, who were playing five across the back in anticipation of an onslaught, grew in confidence and could have taken the lead themselves. David Hopper pinched the ball from between Ian Davison and Stuart Kelly and after rounding the keeper saw his effort ushered to safety by Gareth McKenna. Five minutes later Hopper again caused problem when he broke down the right channel and produced a shot across the goal which Kelly did well to block.

Smith comes up against a strong tackle.

With half time approaching Consett produced their best move of the first period which started with Neil Lowdon foraging down the left flank and ended with a McLeod shot which struck a Harton defender and rebounded to safety.

Half Time: Consett 0-0 Harton

Like the weather, the second half deteriorated as the visitors seemed content to sit back and keep Consett at bay, while the Steelmen in turn created very few chances.

The Harton & Westoe defence stands firm.

The closest Consett came to scoring in the third quarter of the game was in the 55th minute when an Ian Davison free kick was flicked on by Johnny Brown, and Chris Hodgson contrived to head over from virtually under the crossbar. Midway through the second half the same Davison - Brown combination again created problems from a right wing corner, although on this occasion Johnny's downward header bounced over the bar.

With twelve minutes remaining the deadlock was finally broken thanks a solo effort from McLeod he picked up the ball in the last third of the pitch, broke down the right and then cut inside a defender. With Hodgson's distracting run pulling defenders away from him, Macca had time to pick his spot and calmly place the ball into the bottom corner.

With Consett seemingly cruising to a win, a flurry of activity almost changed things dramatically in the dying minutes. First McLeod again fired in a shot at the end of a surging run which King parried, and Smith's follow up shot sailed well over. Moments later Harton & Westoe, who had created virtually nothing in the second half, almost snatched a dramatic late equaliser. A long ball played into the area picked out Michael Meek perfectly but he failed to control it with Kelly nowhere.

Lowdon on a run down the wing.

Moments later, Consett clinched things with a second in stoppage time. The pace of Hodgson left the visitors rearguard for dead and he rounded the keeper to score and make it 2-0, a scoreline which flattered Consett somewhat.

Full Time: Consett 2-0 Harton

JPH