CONSETT ended their 15-year winless home streak against Dunston in emphatic fashion, running out deserved winners on a gluepot of a pitch. Manager Kenny Lindoe named an unchanged side from the one which had beaten Sunderland RCA - the first time since October he had been able or chosen to do so.

Despite playing their third game in eight days, including an FA Vase quarter-final and a strenth-sapping cup semi-final which went to extra time and penalties, the visitors showed first. They won a free-kick out on the left, and Galbraith's floated ball in found Hepplewhite, who headed wide.

Five minutes later a foul on Jamie Poole gave Consett a free-kick in a promising position, and UTS keeper Liam Connell snatched Jonjo Dickman's cross off the head of Gavin Barton.

Jonjo Dickman opens the scoring

Another free-kick on 18 minutes, this time for a foul on Mark Eccles, saw the keeper pull off a good diving save from Marc Walton's 25-yarder.

Mark Eccles comes clear of a tackle

Walton was in the mood for goals, and was unlucky not to score when he latched onto a long ball from david Scorer and ran at the visitors' defence, only to drag his shot wide of the far post.

On the half-hour Consett went ahead, and it was a goal of stunning simplicity. A ball from the left by Poole evaded Walton in the middle, but fell kindly for Dickman, who kept his cool to finish inside the far post.

A few minutes later Craig Robson's lobbed pass put Eccles in on goal, but again Connell came to Dunston's rescue, standing up well. With half-time approaching, Eccles had another chance, but hit his shot straight at the keeper after Dickman played him in.

Half time: Consett 1-0 Dunston

The interval arrived with Consett 1-0 up and in control, and after they doubled their lead within a minute of the re-start there was only one winner. Robson began the move in midfield, spreading the ball out wide to Walton on the right, and Barton timed his run to finish his strike partner's perfectly-weighted cross to bury a dicing header into the bottom corner.

Dunston were visibly wilted by the goal, and Consett began to create chances almost at will. Barton hit a left-footed shot just wide, and a Walton miskick deceived the keeper and hit the top of the bar before Consett increased their lead in the 58th minute.

Walton's ball found Barton, who burst through the middle of two defenders, only to be upeneded by Connell. After booking the keeper and initially awarding a free-kick right on the edge of the box, the referee consulted his linesman and changed his mind. Poole's kick was well-struck, but Connell pulled off a great save, only for the Steelmen's top scorer to make no mistake from the rebound.

Poole headed off-target from Eccles' right-wing cross, Walton almost lobbed the keeper from 25 yards out on the right touchline, and Barton was thwarted by a last-ditch tackle after he was sent clear by another glorious Eccles pass as Consett turned the screw.

Jamie Poole crosses

Dunston's only threat was a 40-yard run and shot from their best player, Lee McAndrew, which flew just over, but it was just about the only time they threatened the Consett goal.

Eccles denied by the keeper

A spate of substitutions disrupted the flow of the last 15 minutes, but Consett had the final say when, in the final minute, Barton grabbed his second, finishing from six yards after a scuffed effort from Ryan Bell.

The 4-0 final scoreline by no means flattered Consett, as this was up there alongside Spennymoor away as one of their best performances of the season.

Full time: Consett 4-0 Dunston

GARY WELFORD