CONSETT turned first-half chances into second-half goals with a hard-earned win which took them top of the league. They shook off the cobwebs of their FA Vase exit four days earlier to turn in a display of bright, attacking football, which eventually paid dividends. Manager Kenny Lindoe made four changes to the side which tamely bowed out to Washington, with David Scorer coming into defence for his first start of the season, and skipper Carl Piecha reinstated to the backline, with Richard Forster and Graham Irving relegated to the bench. Kieran Megran made his full debut wide on the right in place of Jonny Hewitson, while Craig Robson, re-signed from troubled Ryton after a year away, came in to bolster the midfield. Up front, Lewis Teasdale returned in place of Gavin Ross.

Billingham were a far different side to the one which struggled to stay up last season, and came to Belle Vue on the back of an excellent Vase win at Guisborough, and the early stages of the game were scrappy as the two teams cancelled each other out. Scott Martindale had the first decent chance on 13 minutes, when he tried his luck from all of 30 yards, but although his shot was well-struck, it was a comfortable enough save for Town keeper Briggs, despite a pitch made slick by heavy rain. A minute later Consett had a big let-off when the back three were caught napping by a long ball forward, and centre-forward Micky Dunwell, who had scored a hat-trick at the weekend, found himself clear on goal. He lobbed the oncoming Barry Poskett, but with some of the visiting fans already starting to celebrate, the ball bounced inches wide. It wouldn't have counted anyway, as the linesman belatedly flagged the No 9 offside.

Jonjo Dickman was at the heart of most of Consett's best play, and one move saw him link well with Megran, who was finding some space down the right. Megran had one first-time shot charged down by a defender, and then couldn't keep another effort down after skipping round full-back Michael Arthur and going for goal. Gavin Barton almost produced a goal out of nothing when he chased a long ball, won a tackle with keeper Briggs outside the box, and then, with his path to goal blocked by three retreating defenders, squared for Teasdale, who ballooned his effort over the bar.

On 20 minutes Dickman and Megran again combined well, and the ex-Esh man's cross to the back post found Jamie Poole, who swivelled but couldn't keep his shot down. Then a long ball by Scorer saw Dickman's cross from the right just evade the lurking Barton in the middle.

It wasn't all Consett though, and on the half-hour Billingham should have gone ahead. First Glen Butterworth ran onto a through ball, and rounded Poskett, only for Scorer to save the day with a last-ditch tackle, and the keeper had to be alert to touch Ian Clark's inswinging corner over. The visitors were enjoying their best spell of the game, and when Martindale lost possession in his own box, he and his team-mates were relieved to see Dunwell's snapshot go just wide of the far post.

As the break approached, both sides had excellent chances to break the deadlock. First Barton had a free header from Dickman's free-kick, but steered it off-target, and then Consett were grateful to Dickman at the other end as he kicked James Middleton's goalbound effort off the line, and then Poskett saved well from the same player.

Half time: Consett 0-0 Billingham

Consett took the lead on 55 minutes with an excellent strike from Dickman. Teasdale stole possession midway in the Billingham half, and fed Barton, who put the ball out wide to Poole. When his cross was only half-cleared, Dickman struck a stunning volley into the corner from 20 yards for his first goal of the season.

On 75 minutes it was 2-0, and this time Craig Robson, who had an excellent game on his return, was the architect. He won the ball in midfield and slipped a fine pass through to Teasdale, who again linked well with Barton. The No 9 held off his man and picked his spot from the edge of the box to make it seven goals in six games.

With Consett in the mood for more goals, Martindale went close to opening his account when he surged forward from inside his own half, beat two men, and saw his venomous effort deflected onto the post and out for a corner by Danny Wray.

Anthony Lund and Danny Craggs came on for Cuthbertson and Megran as Consett introduced fresh legs in a bid to kill the game, and it almost worked when Robson's pass set up Lund, only for Briggs to save well. Then Teasdale's ball in from the left was helped on by Robson into the path of Poole, but for once the Steelmen's top scorer had left his shooting boots at home, and skied his first-time effort.

Craggs shot wide and a defender blocked Poole's effort at the end of a flowing move as the men in red sought a third, and they got it with a minute left, when Teasdale deservedly got on the scoresheet after a much-improved display. Robson was again the provider, threading an excellent ball through, and the ex-Tow Law striker took a touch and slotted home into the bottom corner. Apart from a 15-minute spell at the end of the first-half, Consett had by far the lion's share of possession and chances, and fully deserved the win, which set them up nicely for a 3rd v 1st clash at Spennymoor three days later.

Full time: Consett 3-0 Billingham

GARY WELFORD