Title rivals Consett and Dunston fought out a 2-2 draw in an enthralling match at Belle Vue Park that could have gone either way.

Consett boss Kenny Lindoe made one change to the side that had beaten Nissan in their previous game two and a half weeks earlier, Mattie Moffat, making his first start since the 1st of November, replacing Steven Johnson in attack who dropped to the bench.

It was also good to see David Johnson on the bench after he put his retirement on hold after having received intensive treatment on his back injury.

Dunston for their part included three ex-Consett players in their 16, Steven Brown and Andrew Bulford starting the game with John Clark on the bench.

Consett showed signs of intent from the off and in the first minute David Pounder shot over from the edge of the box after being set up by Moffat.

But two minutes later Pounder was on target as the home side took the lead. Gary Ormston’s deep cross from the right went to the far post where Pounder was on hand to rifle the ball home from an acute angle.

After seven minutes, Brown, looking to notch against his old club, had a shot blocked and then shot over at the second attempt after a lay off by Sheeran. Consett’s Chris Scott’s well struck 30 yard free-kick was comfortably dealt with by Poskett two minutes later.

After 12 minutes however the visitors levelled. Harkin’s corner from the right found the head of Young whose downward header beat the dive of Paul Gilmore and ended up in the corner of the net.

On the half hour Consett lost Mark Gaffney with a knee injury so David Johnson had to enter the fray earlier than intended.

After 33 minutes Dunston were awarded a penalty after Bulford went down in the box under challenge from two defenders. But Gilmore dived to his left to save Harkin’s spot kick.

However, Consett’s reprieve was short lived and two minutes later The Fed took the lead. A long ball forward caught out the Consett rearguard and Bulford ran on to loft the ball over the stranded Gilmore and into the net.

Half time: Consett 1-2 Dunston

It took Consett only three minutes after the interval to level the scores again. Pounder’s driven ball across the face of goal found its way to Carl Piecha who made no mistake from close range.

The visitors almost took the lead again after 56 minutes. Brown’s free-kick deceived Gilmore and Harkin’s header hit the upright before bouncing back into the arms of the relieved keeper.

With 20 minutes left it was The Steelmen’s turn to hit the woodwork when Moffat ran onto Gilmore’s clearance only to see his shot hit the post with Poskett beaten.

Lindoe reshuffled the shape of his team in an attempt to win the game by playing three in attack, and they went close with seven minutes to go when Scott’s free-kick curled just over the angle of post and bar from 20 yards.

A minute later Dunston substitute Logan saw his effort deflected just wide for a corner. In stoppage time the last chance of the game fell to Consett when from Ormston’s cross Steven Johnson’s looping header was claimed by Poskett.

Full time: Consett 2-2 Dunston

Andrew Pearson