CONSETT'S 100% home record finally came to an end, but they are still unbeaten in 11 league games at Belle Vue this season after recovering well from a stuttering first-half performance. After the fully-deserved win over Whitley Bay four days earlier, it was a case of 'after the Lord Mayor's Show' in the first 45 minutes. But after conceding an early goal, a much-improved second-half showing brought a point which drew them level on 38 points with Spennymoor, whose 5-0 win at Jarrow Roofing the previous night had taken them top. Kenny Lindoe made one change to the side which had beaten the Seasiders, with Dale Burrell coming in for his first start in place of Kieran Megran in a 3-5-2 formation. But disaster struck after just two minutes when Synners midfielder Nathan Jameson hit a speculative 30-yarder which somehow beat Barry Poskett in the Consett goal.

The home side didn't create their first chance until the 10th minute, when Lewis Teasdale chased a long punt forward by Poskett, and slid in with Billingham keeper Josh Moody to contest the loose ball. The former Consett loanee stayed down longer, and eventually had to be replaced by substitute keeper Andrew James after 19 minutes.

In-between, Teasdale flashed a header across goal from a left-wing Danny Craggs corner, then visiting No 9 Chris Smith's header was off-target from full-back Robbie Bettson's cross. With the early goal to cling onto, Billingham, who had lost 6-1 at Penrith on Saturday, got eight men behind the ball whenever they could, and Consett found them hard to break down.

On 28 minutes, a good move down the right saw Craggs put a dangerous cross to the near post for Teasdale, who was just beaten to the ball by a defender at the expense of a corner, and it proved to be the striker's final involvement of the night, as he was soon replaced by Gavin Barton, apparently still suffering the after-effects of the collision with Moody.

Seven minutes before the break Consett had their best chance of the half, and it stemmed from a great crossfield ball from David Scorer, who picked out Jamie Poole on the left. The wing-back's pull-back for Craig Robson saw the midfielder - still looking for his first goal since returning to Consett - turn to create some space for himself, and hit a right-footed short just wide of James's left-hand post. A minute before the break Synthonia, who were largely content to set back, absorb the pressure and play on the break, almost doubled their lead when Smith's cross from the left saw top scorer Colin Iley go close at the near post.

Half time: Consett 0-1 Synners

The interval arrived with Consett trailing, and struggling to break down dogged opponents, and they made another change for the second half, with Anthony Lund coming on for Scott Martindale, and the shape switching to a 4-4-2.

Lund was involved straight away, and slashed a shot wide from a Barton knock-down. Gavin Ross was then hurt as he contested a loose ball with the goalkeeper, but after treatment he was OK to continue, which was just as well, as he grabbed Consett's equaliser on 57 minutes. Barton flicked on Poskett's long ball forward with his head, and the teenage striker took a touch to steady himself on the edge of the box before finishing coolly past James for his sixth goal of the season.

After that it was almost entirely one-way traffic as Consett looked to extend their record of 10 home league wins, the visitors strived to maintain what they had. Carl Piecha was outstanding at the back and Craig Robson instrumental in midfield, as most of Billingham's efforts on the break were snuffed out at source.

On 61 minutes, Craggs picked out Barton with a free-kick from the left, and his header was turned over by James, who then stayed alert to keep out Eccles' right-wing corner. A Robson ball forward from his own half sent Barton clear, and he outpaced his marker before flashing a shot across the face of goal, with no one up with him to apply the finishing touch.

A Piecha header from a Robson corner was kicked off the line, and the pacey pair of Burrell and Ross then combined to create havoc in the Synners' defence, but no one could get close enough to get on the end of the striker's cross-shot after he won the ball in a challenge with a defender and drove it low and hard across the goalmouth. Midfielder Andy Harbron had an attempt on goal from 30 yards as Billingham posed a rare threat, but it took a deflection which took the sting out of the shot before it reached Poskett.

It was Consett who pressed harder for a decisive goal, however, and crosses from first Burrell on the right and Lund on the left, who were causing problems with their pace, just lacking a predator's instinct to claim the three points. With nine minutes left Piecha unlocked the visitors' defence with an excellent ball forward, and Lund was left with just the keeper to beat, but James stood up well to save with his feet. Craggs then had a free-kick from an acute angle cleared off the line, a Scorer header from a corner was scrambled away, and a falling volley by Craggs went just wide as Consett went all-out for a winner.

It was not to be, and they had to settle for a point, and second-place behind the champions on goal difference. It was a disappointing way to lose their 100% record, but at least they remain unbeaten at home, and were much-improved in the second half.

Full time: Consett 1-1 Synners

GARY WELFORD