Consett gained their first win over the Synners since the year 2000, ending a run of 12 games without a victory against their bogey side. The win moved The Steelmen back up to third place in the table.

Manager Kenny Lindoe was able to name both Mark Gaffney and Michael Coulthard in the starting line up after lengthy absences while Gary Ormston also returned after missing three games. But top strikers Mattie Moffat and Steven Johnson were both unavailable so David Pounder and Andrew Thompson made up the forward line.

The previous attempt to play this game was in mid-February when the game was called off shortly before kick off as thick fog enveloped the ground. Well on this occasion the fog stayed away despite a threatening mist hanging over Belle Vue for the full 90 minutes.

On a bitterly cold night it was the visitors who struck the first blow after only 5 minutes. A free-kick was only half cleared and Cater’s shot was deflected for a corner. From Honeyman’s resulting flag kick Iley headed home from close range.

Consett almost levelled three minutes later when Pounder’s exquisite through ball found Thompson but he shot over the keeper and bar. On the quarter hour Thompson headed over from Steven Brown’s free-kick.

The home side did level things midway through the opening period. David Colvin’s attempted cross struck the arm of a Billingham defender and the referee awarded what seemed a harsh penalty. But Brown took advantage by making no mistake with his spot kick.

Consett had to reshuffle as Thompson picked up an injury and was replaced by Mark Patterson shortly after the half hour but there was little further goalmouth action in the opening period.

Half Time: Consett 1-1 Synners

There were few clear cut openings in the early part of the second period as the teams cancelled each other out. But Synners went close to taking the lead after 54 minutes when Magowan turned and shot over while at the other end Ormston headed over from Brown’s corner.

With just over quarter of an hour to go Patterson got on the end of Pounder’s cross but his header was easily saved by Jackson.

But The Steelmen won the game with a well taken goal after 78 minutes. Ormston’s throughball found Brown surging forward and he shot home across the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net.

Consett almost added a third with a minute to go when from Pounder’s corner, Ormston’s header was cleared off the line.

Full Time: Consett 2-1 Synners

ANDREW PEARSON