Consett increased their lead at the top of the table to eight points with this fine win at the Boldon Sports Ground. There were plenty of chances at both ends in an entertaining game but The Steelmen took all three points to keep the pressure on the other title contenders.

Manager Ken Lindoe was forced to make two changes to the side that had beaten Billingham Town the previous week. Skipper Carl Piecha returned to the line-up in place of the unwell David Scorer and with Scott Martindale unfit Danny Craggs was pushed up front with Kieran Megran coming into the back line. Roofing included in their side former Consett player David Duke who was playing his first game for the Roofers.

Consett made the early running and in the 4th minute they almost took the lead when Megran's ball in from the right fell to Craggs whose shot was saved by Starford diving to his right. After 10 mins Craggs free-kick found Jamie Poole in the box but his shot was blocked by Kirkup.

Roofing came more into the game and Coghlin should have done better when set up by Hughes but he shot tamely at the keeper. After 23 minutes Coghlin's well struck free-kick from just outside the box was pushed away by Consett custodian Barry Poskett.

Two minutes later Craggs had an effort headed off the line by Kirkup but from the resulting corner The Steelmen took the lead. Craig Robson's flag kick was headed on and Craggs touched the ball home from close range.

Consett had the bit between their teeth now and they almost doubled their advantage when Dale Burrell cut in from the right but his shot was pushed over the bar by Starford.

But the lead was doubled just after the half hour. The ball was played into Anthony Lund on the edge of the area, he laid the ball back to Megran whose shot flew into the top corner via a deflection off a defender.

Watling headed narrowly wide for the home side following a Hughes corner a couple of minutes later. Consett then lost Jonjo Dickman to injury following a challenge by Duke five minutes before the interval, Richard Slaughter coming on to make his Consett debut.

Half Time: Roofing 0-2 Consett

Two minutes after the break Burrell was put through on goal but his shot was easily saved by the home keeper. Then a minute later, at the other end, the dangerous Watling turned and shot just past the post.

There was plenty of entertainment for the crowd with Jarrow looking to claw their way back into the game and Consett trying to find a third goal that would surely have killed the game.

The result was chances at both ends and just after the hour Consett almost struck again when Poole's drive was pushed onto the post and out for a corner by Starford.

Watling found space to get in a shot that looked to be going wide but Poskett saved anyway. Then on 66 minutes debutant Slaughter almost made a name for himself but he shot well wide from a great position following Robson's ball into the box.

Gavin Barton ran clear on 72 minutes but his shot was tipped over by Starford then at the other end Poskett came out quickly to block Watling's effort. With 12 minutes to go Barton was unlucky to see his shot hit the angle of post and bar with Starford beaten.

Poskett was again called into action as the game entered the final ten minutes when he saved with his feet from Croft's shot.

But with two minutes to go Consett finally notched that decisive third goal. Substitute Gavin Ross setting up Barton who rounded the keeper and shot home.

With the points in the bag Consett's hopes of a second successive clean sheet were dashed in the fourth minute of stoppage time when the home side scored a deserved consolation when Watling shot home from close range following a cross from the left.

Full Time: Roofing 1-3 Consett

ANDREW PEARSON