CONSETT twice came from behind to earn a replay after another Jekyll and Hyde performance which saw them score three good goals, but give away three poor ones in a repeat of the scoreline against the same opponents in the cup two seasons ago.

Manager Kenny Lindoe made four changes to the side which undeservedly lost at Ashington five days earlier. Richard Forster returned at centre-back, with skipper Carl Piecha pushing into midfield in place of the injured Andrew Cuthbertson. Jonjo Dickman and Mark Eccles also came into the middle in place of Sean Best and Ben Johnson, while Glen Robson started up front in place of the Spain-bound Jordan Hugill.

Bishops had the ball in the net after just three minutes, but the referee had already awarded a free-kick for striker Wayne Gredziak's challenge on keeper Barry Poskett even before he used his hand to knock the ball over the line.

Consett quickly took control, and were unlucky not to go ahead on seven minutes when Robson met a left-wing corner with a firm header which was cleared off the line by left-back Tom Blackett, guarding the post.

On 15 minutes Robson had another chance, when he met Eccles' cross from the left on the volley and thumped a firm shot goalwards. This time he was thwarted by a good save by keeper Peter Jeffries, diving low to his right.

Eccles stung the keeper's hands after a break down the left, then forced another save from him after a good link-up with Danny Craggs, and Jamie Poole wasn't too far away as he unleashed a shot surging forward from left-back.

A goal only seemed a matter of time, but when it came on 27 minutes it was at the other end, totally against the run of play. Consett failed to deal with a throw-in into their box, and Gavin Barton was allowed time to execute an overhead kick to make it 1-0.

Within a minute Consett were level. Eccles started the move with a ball to Piecha, who fed Robson, and the striker beat his man before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner to open his Consett account.

Eccles was just beaten to the chase for a long ball by Jeffries, but there was a warning at the other end when Poskett had to save from Adam Emson after the former Consett striker broke through, with Scott Martindale clearing his follow-up off the line.

Half time: Bishop 1-1 Consett

The half-time whistle came with the scores level after an entertaining first half, and the second period saw things resume where they had left off, with Bishops' direct style a sharp contrast to Consett's passing game.

Within three minutes Consett were ahead. A good move down the left involving Piecha, Robson and Lewis Teasdale saw the ball end up with Eccles at the back post. He picked out Craggs' run into the crowded area, and he made no mistake from six yards.

Bishops levelled on 58 minutes when Poole tried to play his way out of trouble in the corner, but only succeeded in playing Poskett into difficulty with a backpass. The keeper's attempted clearance fell straight to Barton, who sent the ball goalwards, and the suspiciously offside-looking Gredziak stuck out a foot to divert it home

The Two Blues were now on top, and when they went ahead with 15 minutes to go there seemed no way back for Consett. Again the Steelmen failed to deal with a throw into their box, and substitute Adam Strong finished from close range with virtually his first touch.

But again Consett showed their mettle by finding a quick equaliser. This time Scott Martindale started the move, bringing the ball out from the back, and finding Craggs, who picked out Piecha's run. The skipper kept his cool to hold off a challenge, draw the keeper, and shoot home.

Both sides could have nicked it at the end when Poskett saved well with his feet from Strong, and then Gavin Ross, making his debut in place of the tiring Eccles, outpaced a defender down the left and set up fellow sub Johnson, who skied his shot.

To be fair, a draw was probably the right outcome after an entertaining game which was a fine advert for Northern League football.

Full time: Bishop 3-3 Consett

GARY WELFORD