Consett suffered a league defeat for only the third time this season as they went down 2-3 at a blustery Seaham Red Star. In an even contest played in difficult conditions the difference between the sides was Star striker Warren Byrne, who scored all three goals for the home side.

The Steelmen, understandably, were unchanged from the previous week’s FA Vase success over Trafford, but struggled to make any headway in the early stages of this contest. The home side should have gone down to ten men in the opening minutes, when former Steelman David Anderson struck Steven Johnson in the face, however the offence was incredibly missed by all of the officials, allowing the Star defender to escape scot-free.

Gary Ormston scores Consett's first with a spectacular diving header

Mattie Moffat puts Consett 2-1 in front

Chances continued at both ends with Gary Ormston shooting just over for Consett after Mattie Moffat had flicked on a David Pounder cross. Then Byrne’s attempted lob forced the back-pedalling Platten to tip the ball over the bar as Star threatened to extend their lead.

The Steelmen turned the game round to lead 2-1 at half time with two goals in three minutes. The first came on 36 minutes when Pounder whipped an excellent cross in from the left flank and Ormston threw himself full-length to net with a spectacular diving header.

Moffat then scored for the seventh game in a row to put Consett ahead after 39 minutes. Collecting a precise through ball from Steven Brown, he carried the ball across the area before slotting it calmly past Finch.

The match turned in Star’s favour when Moffat limped out of the action five minutes into the second half. Consett, who already switched from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 to counteract the threat of Byrne, changed formation again to a 4-5-1 and promptly disappeared as an attacking force.

Almost immediately Byrne bagged his second. Craig Price’s through ball was helped on by Appleby to the former Spennymoor striker and his low diagonal shot gave Platten no chance.

Platten was increasingly becoming the busier of the two keepers, saving bravely at the feet of Byrne, from Chris Bell’s excellent through ball. However all his heroics were in when Star’s winner finally came in the 69th minute. Another great ball into the area from Bell picked out Byrne and although Platten brilliantly saved his initial volley, Byrne pounced on the rebound to force the ball home.

Carl Piecha's tackle stops Warren Byrne

Steven Johnson is denied by Finch

The closest Consett came to levelling came eight minutes from time when Ormston drilled a low cross across the 6-yard box which went agonisingly out of reach of the incoming Johnson and then skimmed inches past the post. However it was the home side who almost had the last word when Rattle’s fierce strike from distance cannoned back off the upright with Platten well beaten.

So a rare defeat for Consett, but some consolation was gained from the fact that leaders Durham City were also beaten, 2-4 at home to Benfield, meaning the situation remains unchanged at the top of the Northern League with Consett three points behind with a game in hand