Consett picked up a deserved three points with a single goal victory over FA Vase holders Whitley Bay at Belle Vue Park. But their hopes of moving out of the bottom three were dashed with the news that fellow relegation strugglers Prudhoe Town had beaten league leaders Billingham Synthonia to remain two points ahead of The Steelmen.

Consett were without the injured Johnny Brown and suspended Scott Wilson so Steve Smith and Mark Lee returned. Chris Hodgson also returned after injury to replace Andrew Thompson who dropped down to the bench.

It was Bay, however, who started the brighter and Scroggins tested Consett keeper James Platten with a 30 yard effort which he held comfortably. After 10 minutes, following a Walmsley free-kick, Anderson headed the ball straight into the thankful keeper’s arms. The visitors best chance of the first period came two minutes later when, after good build up play, Taylor was put in on goal but Platten blocked the shot with his body.

Consett gradually worked their way into the game but failed to create a clear opening until five minutes before the interval when they took the lead. Mark Lee’s right wing cross was headed down by Colin McLeod and Chris Hodgson was on hand to poke the ball home from a couple of yards.

Half Time: Consett 1-0 Whitley

Just as in the opening half it was the visitors who created the chances early in the second period. Seven minutes in Scroggins curled a shot just wide of the far post following Hay’s knock down then a few minutes later Sunderland blasted over when he should have done better.

On the hour mark though it was brilliant goalkeeping by Whitley’s Terry Burke that kept them in the game as he made a brilliant double save. Firstly he did well to block Lee Suddes’ close range effort then when the ball was returned to the danger area he dived full length to turn away a well struck volley by Jeff Sugden.

As Bay pushed forward looking for the equaliser Consett looked dangerous on the counter attack and the visitors had their custodian to thank again after 74 minutes. Hodgson made a good run to the by-line and put over a dangerous cross. It looked as though McLeod would only have to tap the ball in but it took a deflection and instead fell to Neil Lowdon whose close range effort was superbly blocked by the keeper.

In the latter stages Bay began to exert some pressure on the Consett defence but the home rearguard stood firm to record a welcome clean sheet. The nearest Bay came to levelling was three minutes into stoppage time when, following Walton’s free-kick, Walmsley’s spectacular overhead kick went narrowly wide.

All in all it was a hard working performance by The Steelmen with the defence superbly marshalled by Jeff Sugden and Rod Butler and with man of the match Neil Lowdon giving a tremendous display in the centre of midfield. More performances like this will be required over the coming weeks if Consett are to avoid relegation.