Consett's recent rotten record at Dunston Fed continued with a 0-2 defeat this evening. It's over five years since The Steelmen even scored at this ground, let alone got a point, and against a hard-working and resilient home side it was clear that this game wasn't going to reverse the trend.

With Carl Piecha and Craig Robson injured, plus Jonjo Dickman, Steven Johnson and David Pounder out of the country, an already threadbare Consett side was weakened still further when John Clark limped out of the pre-match warm up. Chris Douglas consequently made the first start of this his third spell at the club.

Chris Douglas gets kicked up in the air

Consett were slow out of the blocks and after Paul Gilmore had fumbled a Carl Heiniger cross, Michael Coulthard cleared off the line for a corner. The resulting flag kick was played short to Ben Cattanach who whipped in a firm driven cross which Kane Young converted with a glancing header to open the scoring on 12 minutes.

Mattie Moffat launches himself into a tackle

Five minutes later Heiniger's free kick from just outside the area seemed destined for the top corner but Gilmore made a brilliant one handed save to deny him.

Consett managed their first strike at goal midway through the first half, but Gary Ormston's 25 yard daisy cutter brought a routine save from Barry Poskett in the Fed goal.

On the half hour mark Heiniger, signed hours before kick off and who was making a very impressive debut, headed on to Steve Preen. The ex-Bedlington man outpaced the defence but Gilmore came out to make another good save.

Somewhat belatedly Consett started to build up a head of steam and after Mattie Moffat headed a Steven Brown cross wide, defender Karl Baston embarked on an incredible 50-yard mazy run through middle, only to be denied when Poskett made a brave save at his feet.

On the stroke of half time with the game very much in the balance, Fed were gifted a second when a mix-up between Baston and Gilmore ended up with Heinger being presented with the ball 35 yards out and he coolly swept it back into the unguarded net to make it 2-0.

Half time: Dunston 2-0 Consett

The second half was about as drab a 45 minutes as is likely to be seen all season. Consett dominated possession, but Fed soaked up the pressure with consummate ease, restricting their visitors to very few chances.

Moffat heads wide

Four minutes after the interval Adam Emson sent a 30-yard dipping volley just wide. Emson then headed a deep John Ewart deep cross over the bar at the back post.

Andrew Cuthbertson in combative action

On 66 minutes Steven Brown steered a pin point pass to John Ewart on the edge of the D and the full back's venomous strike was saved by Poskett, albeit at the second attempt after he had been unable to hold on to it first time.

In a rare foray into Consett territory, Fed substitute Neil Pattinson forced Gilmore into a save at the foot of his post after latching onto Baston's headed clearance and drilling in a low shot from the just outside the area. The final 15 minutes though was a strangely sterile stalemate, with Consett unable to test the keeper and Fed happy to sit on their lead.

Full time: Dunston 2-0 Consett

JPH