AFTER being a little fortunate to take all three points against Tow Law three days earlier, Consett could count themselves very unlucky not to bring at least one back from a tricky trip to Ashington.

Manager Kenny Lindoe made three changes to the side which pulled off the late win over the Lawyers. Barry Poskett made his debut in goal for the unfit Danny Staples, with wide men Ben Johnson and Sean Best coming in for Jonny Hewitson and Richard Forster, with Carl Piecha reverting to his usual place in the back-line.

The home side were quicker out of the blocks, and had a couple of chances in the opening 10 minutes, as the Steelmen looked particularly vulnerable at set-pieces. First Scott Blandford volleyed over from Damen Mullin's left-wing corner, then Mullin went close after taking a short corner from ex-Newcastle United man Jonny Godsmark and firing just over.

It took 13 minutes for Consett to threaten, as Piecha intercepted a pass and played the ball to Lewis Teasdale, who released Jordan Hugill down the left. The teenage striker cut in and fired narrowly wide across goal, with no one on hand to apply a finishing touch.

More slack marking at the back saw Colliers skipper James Harmison head just over from another corner, but Consett again threatened on the break, when Scott Martindale won the ball and fed Teasdale, who again linked well with Hugill. This time the young forward went for the top corner, and his rising shot just cleared the angle of post and crossbar.

Ashington sub Mark O'Dea hit a 25-yarder which Poskett saved fairly comfortably, and then Danny Craggs tried his luck with a free-kick from even further out, and although it was on target, it didn't trouble home keeper Karl Dryden too much.

The deadlock was broken on 35 minutes when first Godsmark and then Blandford passed up shooting opportunities after finding themselves with time and space, but when the ball found its way to Steven Young the ex-Benfield striker showed no such hesitation, and despatched his shot into the bottom corner.

It could have been two a minute later when Jamie Poole was dispossessed by former Consett player David Colvin, but his pass to Mullin was wasted, as the No11 blasted over with the goal at his mercy.

Poskett had to save from Young, push Colvin's left-wing corner over the top and save with his legs from O'Dea as Ashington sought to press home their advantage, but it wasn't quite one-way traffic.

One Consett breakaway saw Poole cut in from the left and feed Hugill, who was unlucky to see his measured effort from just outside the box hit the bar and go over.

Half time: Ashington 1-0 Consett

The score remained 1-0 to Ashington at the interval, but Consett came out fired up after the break, and were first to most of the loose balls as torrential rain began to fall.

Craggs gave notice of their attacking intent when he warmed the keeper's hands with a well-struck free-kick from all of 30 yards, and an equaliser looked only a matter of time.

It came on 64 minutes, when Poole's deep cross from the left picked out Teasdale 10 yards out, and he flashed a header beyond Dryden and into the bottom corner.

Ashington hadn't really troubled Consett much in the second half, but the Steelmen were forced into a reshuffle when Andy Cuthbertson had to go off with a foot injury. Glen Robson came on up front, with Teasdale dropping into midfield.

Unfortunately, with a minute to go, and the Steelmen looking good for a well-earned point, the young striker made the mistake which presented Ashington with their first chance of the half, and the game's decisive goal.

He gave the ball away in midfield. Blandford's pass forward found Mullin with a clear path to goal, and he made no mistake, giving the home side a scarcely-deserved win.

Full time: Ashington 2-1 Consett

GARY WELFORD