Consett's title hopes suffered a huge blow as an 87th minute Gavin Cogden strike gave fellow title hopefuls Spennymoor a crucial 2-1 victory at Belle Vue.

Coming into the game Consett included new striker Marc Walton, while a full strength Spennymoor side included a formidable looking front 3 of Michael Rae, Adam Johnston and Gavin Cogden.

The game started in heavy rain and Spennymoor were soon on the front foot and dominating possession and on only 5 minutes Alex Francis played Michael Rae clean through but the strikers first touch took him too wide and he shot wide of goal.

Consett couldn't get into the game at all but debutant Marc Walton did force a smart low save from Craig Turns on 17 minutes with a drive from 18 yards.

Spennymoor were soon back in first gear though and Johnston, Cogden and Rae all went close. The trio were causing all sorts of problems with Rae playing as a recognised centre forward and Johnston and Cogden constantly dropping deep and switching sides behind him.

Despite this, it was the unlikely source of Leon Ryan who really should have opened the scoring on 32 minutes when he somehow managed not to connect with an Alex Francis free kick when completely unmarked only 5 yards out - any sort of touch would have resulted in the opening goal.

Consett did finally start to edge their way into the match and had a great chance on 39 minutes when Jamie Poole was played in by Jonjo Dickman but his firm effort was well saved by Turns. The rebound fell perfectly for Keiran Megran but with Turns still on the ground his effort was blocked on the line by a defender.

The homeside weren't to be denied though and on 40 minutes, the increasingly influential Jamie Poole played Marc Walton in on the left hand side of the area and he expertly finished into the bottom right corner from 15 yards.

Spennymoor did manage one more narrow miss from 20 yards from Cogden but half-time came with the Steelmen holding an unlikely 1-0 lead.

Half time: Consett 1-0 Spennymoor

Consett were forced into a change at half-time with Scott Martindale unable to continue and with no natural replacement on the bench Mark Eccles came on and Jamie Poole moved to centre back.

The second half started with the heavy rain being replaced by sunshine and the game was a much more even affair. Both teams were attacking with intent but it wasn't until the hour mark that the first chance of the half came and not surprisingly it was the ever meancing Gavin Cogden who beat 3 men before inexplicably firing straight at Barry Poskett with the hard work done.

Conset moved straight up the other end to record their first effort of the half but Gavin Barton's 15 yard effort was expertly tipped over by Turns in the visiting goal.

The large contingent of Spennymoor supporters in the crowd were starting to wonder if it was just going to be one of those days when on 64 minutes they deservedly equalised in the simplest fashion. A long free kick from Stephen Capper was poorly defended by Consett and Michael Laws headed into the bottom right corner from 6 yards out.

Both sides continued to look for the winner but with 20 minutes to go it was the visitors who were again beginning to dominate with Cogden and Johnston regularly causing havoc but they couldn't quite fashion a clear cut opportunity.

In fairness to Consett they were still looking for a winner themselves and on 80 minutes both Barton and Walton had shooting opportunites but couldn't quite test Turns.

It looked as though Consett were going to record a hard earned point when on 87 minutes Spennymoor took the lead. Make shift centre half Jamie Poole tried to let the ball run out in the corner but it got held up in the mud forcing him to make a clearance. Unluckily, this clearance took a deflection which sent Cogden clean through on goal and he made no mistake, finishing low to the bottom right corner.

Consett did have time for one attempt at an equaliser but on 90 minutes the otherwise impressive Walton scuffes his effort when well placed 12 yards out.

The final whistle came and while it would be hard to argue the best team didn't win, the Steelmen will feel hard done by after a whole hearted effort and the manner of the late winner.

Full time: Consett 1-2 Spennymoor

ANDY BALL