THIS was a huge three points for Consett against one of their main rivals at the top of the table, but the final scoreline in no reflected their dominance of the match. It's no exaggeration to say they should have won by five clear goals.

Kenny Lindoe made two changes to the side which drew at Morpeth in midweek, Andrew Cuthbertson and David Scorer coming in for the unavailable David Pounder and dropped Paul Robinson. Scorer slotted in at the back, and Carl Piecha moving into midfield, and Adam Emson started up front alongside Richard Logan.

Spennymoor, whose financial problems had forced them to sell three players during the week, started brightly, but lively winger Craig Ruddy's effort didn't trouble Consett 'keeper Jack Norton.

But with the game beginning to settle down, Consett got off to an ideal start when recent signing Richard Logan put them in front after just six minutes. Emson latched on to Chris Scott's ball down the right, beat his man and cut inside, unleashing a low drive. Moors keeper Niki Lawson saved well, but the ball bounced kindly for Logan, who kept his cool 10 yards out to open his Consett account.

Good work by Logan and Gary Ormston – playing an an unfamiliar wide-left role - then set up Emson, but he didn't quite manage to turn and get his foot round his shot sufficiently to bother the keeper.

Consett suffered a blow on 25 minutes when Jonjo Dickman – captain in the continued absence of David Johnson – had to retire with a recurrence of the ankle injury which had forced him off at Morpeth. Paul Robinson entered, and went up top alongside Emson, with Logan dropping in behind the front two.

Cuthbertson's through ball then sent Emson clear, but the tall striker's touch just let him down, allowing the keeper to clear the danger. Emson was causing all sorts of problems, and he forced a good save from Lawson after being put in by Logan, with Ormston just unable to capitalise on the rebound.

Cuthberston and Mark Gaffney were both booked for fouls on Spennymoor striker David Gordon, and he had his side's best chance of the half, but was unable to find the target from 25 yards.

It was a half of few chances, but on the stroke of half-time Consett went 2-0 up. Emson again beat his man, this time on the left, and Logan forced a good save from the keeper, diving to his left. Scott had plenty to do to make the loose ball, but sheer determination got him there first, and he finished from a tight angle.

Full Time: Consett 2-0 Spennymoor

Consett started the second half as they had ended the first, and Lawson had to be alert to snatch the ball off the toes of the marauding Emson. But they didn't have to wait long for a third goal, and again Emson was involved. He got on the end of a long ball out of defence and outpaced two defenders before unselfishly pulling the ball back for the onrushing Scott to finish.

Spennymoor reacted by making a double substitution, but it was Consett who continued to force the game, and Scott was denied a hat-trick when the keeper saved his back-post header.

Moors weren't an altogether spent force, however, and it took a tremendous tackle from Piecha – who had taken the captain's armband when Dickman went off – to block an effort from Gareth Waite.

It was still Consett who were playing the better football, however, and Emson and Logan both had half-chances. Scott could have made it four when fed by Emson, who skinned his man yet again, omnly for the keeper to block well, and then Emson himself had a chance tio seal it when put in by a lovely Robinson pass, only to roll his shot inches wide with the keeper beaten.

Two minutes later, with the result looked a formality, Spennymoor were right back in the game. Chris Lawther scored a flukey first goal, hooking the ball speculatively over his head and watched it bounce over the line, and then Karl Richards made it 3-2 from the penalty spot after Gaffney was harshly adjudged to handle as he went to ground in a tackle.

A nervous few minutes ensued for Consett, during which Michael Coulthard saw yellow for a foul of Ruddy, but it was the Steelmen who continued to make the better chances.

Scott hit a 30-yard free-kick over the bar, then Steven Johnson – who had come on as sub for Logan, with a cast protecting his broken hand – had an effort blocked after linking well with Scott. Emson then had a shot which just cleared the bar, and Scott looked certain to complete his hat-trick after Johnson cut the ball back from the byline and Robinson's sublime dummy left Scott with only the keeper to beat, but he skied the ball with the goal at his mercy.

Full Time: Consett 3-2 Spennymoor

GARY WELFORD