Consett’s championship hopes were dealt a fatal blow by this defeat against the relegation threatened Terriers.

The night started badly when keeper Craig Turns cried off at the last minute because of work commitments and with second and third choice keepers James Platten and Andy Colling also unavailable, midfielder Steven Brown donned the goalkeeping gloves.

Consett had the first chance of the game when after good play by David Colvin down the left, Steve Johnson was given a chance but he shot straight at the keeper. At the other end Brown dealt competently with a long range shot from Carr.

Brown was called into action again after 19 minutes when he parried away McAlindon’s wind assisted inswinging corner. Consett had a let off two minutes later when Ormston’s header back to the keeper fell to Bedlington’s Shandran who poked the ball past the stranded Brown but wide of the post.

Consett’s best chance of the half came four minutes before the interval when Mattie Moffat played in Jonjo Dickman but Terriers keeper Dryden did well to block the shot.

Half Time: Consett 0-0 Bedlington

Four minutes after the break Consett went close again when Andrew Thompson headed just wide at the far post from David Pounder’s cross.

But the deadlock was broken after 52 minutes. Ludlow picked up the loose ball and shot goalwards. Brown could have easily picked the ball up but decided to boot it clear. Unfortunately he missed the ball completely and it ended up in the empty net.

Just after the hour Consett almost got on level terms when from Pounder’s corner, Moffat volleyed over. Then Moffat played in Dickman but he shot over from close range.

As Consett pushed forward Bedlington caught them on the break and Shandran had a shot saved by Brown. McFarlane had a shot deflected wide and then after 71 minutes Shandran broke away but his shot was also deflected past the upright.

The Steelmen went close again five minutes later when from Dickman’s corner, Moffat’s goalbound header was deflected over off a defender. A minute on and Lawson broke away for the visitors but Brown saved the resulting shot with his legs.

With five minutes to go Dryden made a terrific point blank save from Moffat who had got on the end of Gary Ormston’s cross. Then in the second minute of stoppage time the home side almost snatched a draw when Johnson cut in from the right but Dryden made a diving save to give Bedlington the points.

Full Time: Consett 0-1 Bedlington

ANDREW PEARSON