CONSETT progressed to the 2nd Round of the Durham Challenge Cup after a game at a soggy Esh Winning that was crazy even by their rollercoaster-ride standards. Kenny Lindoe made three changes to the team that lost so shabbily to Bishop Auckland three days earlier, and it would have been more if he hadn't been missing six players for a variety of reasons. Graham Irving came in at the back for Paul Collins for his full debut, Jonjo Dickman started in midfield in place of Andrew Cuthbertson, and Mattie Moffat made his first start since returning in place of the cup-tied Gavin Parkin.

The game turned into a personal triumph for David Pounder, who scored all four goals in the game.

His first, after just 15 seconds, got Consett off to a flying start. From kick-off the ball was played back to David Scorer, and he passed to Moffat, whose ball sent Pounder away down the right. He cut into the box at speed and shot early, catching Esh keeper Gareth Young by surprise at his near post, with the ball going in off him.

David Pounder scores the opening goal after just 15 seconds

Pounder completes a 13 minute hat trick

But Prof didn't have to wait long to register his hat-trick, and it was unlucky for Esh as he made it 3-0 in the 13th minute. Young cleared a backpass only as far as Huggins, whose header dropped nicely for the No 10 to rifle into the unguarded net from 20 yards.

It was a remarkable start by Consett, and they came close to adding a fourth when a slick move down the right by Andrew Burton and Huggins saw Moffat slide in at the near post, but unable to get his shot on target under challenge.

Midway through the half the home side had the ball in the net, when John Ryan crossed for Craig Coates, and his shot brought a stunning save from Staples, only for Craggs to react quickest to the rebound, but be ruled offside.

Pounder went close again with a snapshot and Carl Piecha blazed over from Moffat's stooping flick-on, but Esh were determined to make a game of it, and on 29 minutes they reduced the arrears.

On the stroke of half-time Consett were stunned to be pegged back to 3-3. Coates's deep cross from the right was headed back into the danger zone by Richardson, and Stuart Thompson was on the spot to finish from close range.

Half time: Esh 3-3 Consett

Consett were clearly shellshocked, and when captain Piecha didn't come out for the second half, replaced by Collins, with Irving pushing into midfield, most of the travelling support feared the worst.

However, the visitors started the second half stronger, and had a good shout for a penalty turned down when Pounder seemed to be impeded as he looked to latch on to Moffat's quick throw-in into the box.

But Pounder was not to be denied, and on 53 minutes he got his fourth goal, and the best of the night. He was put through in the right-hand channel by Dickman's precise pass, and curled his shot into the corner from the edge of the box as the defender backed off him.

Mattie Moffat gets sent the wrong way

Danny Craggs' free kick makes it 2-3l

With 17 minutes remaining, young striker Shaun Sager came on for his Consett debut in place of the tiring Moffat, who hadn't scored, but led the line intelligently, and showed no ill-effects from his recent ankle injury.

Esh probably shaded second-half possession without creating many clear-cut chances. A hooked effort by left-back Nicky Gibson which went wide and a header over the top from Wilson were as near as they came.

Consett had a couple of chances to put the game to bed. First, Wilson stopped Ormston's effort from Pounder's corner with his face, and then a Scorer header from another corner appeared to bounce up and hit the same defender's arm, but the referee was having none of it.

A visibly tiring Consett, who had few options on the bench, were able to see the game out relatively comfortably, and, after almost throwing the game away, secure their place in the next round.