CONSETT progressed to the 2nd Round of the FA Vase with a replay win which was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Manager Kenny Lindoe made one change to the side which had led three times at Guisborough four days earlier, Gavin Ross coming in for Harrison Davies. The Steelmen started brightly, but suffered a blow after just five minutes when right-back Ryan Bell pulled his hamstring going on an overlap, and had to go off. He was replaced by David Brown, who went to left-back, with midfielder Scott Blandford dropping to right-back and Anthony Lund pushing into the middle.

On eight minutes it was Lund's deep cross from the left which gave Ross a headed chance, but it dropped wide of the foot of the right-hand post. Four minutes later Ross was involved in the game's first major talking point when he ran at the Guisborough defence and appeared to be halted illegally by Lee Bythway in the box. The linesman had a good look at the penalty appeal, and kept his flag by his side, with Consett players and fans convinced it was a spot-kick.

Marc Walton had a good chance to open the scoring after Craig Robson was brought down a few yards outside the box on 15 minutes, but while his free-kick was on target, it lacked power and didn't trouble former Consett custodian jack Norton.

Guisborouigh then fired a warning shot across Consett's bows at the other end when, after a slip by skipper Carl Piecha, Barry Poskett had to be alert to keep out an effort by David Onions.

Walton's cross from the left was then a fraction too high for Ross, but it was from a free-kick awarded for a foul on the young striker which Consett took the lead on the half-hour. Walton's 20-yard effort took a deflection off the wall., and Michael Mackay reacted quickest to steer the ball home, with the visitors adamant he was offside.

A minute later Mackay turned provider for Lund, putting him clean through on goal, but he put his shot straight at Norton. Walton then volleyed just wide from another Mackay pass as the former Hartlepool man began to dictate the attacking play.

Half time: Consett 1-0 Guisborough

The 1-0 half-time scoreline didn't really do Consett's first-half diaply justice, but two minutes into the second half they had doubled their advantage, Walton turning onto a loose ball in the box to smash it home.

A flowing move 10 minutes later gave Walton another chance, but his first-time shot from Dale Burrell's pass was a comfortable save for Norton. Burrell, who was being given license to roam by Craig Robson's dominance of the centre of the park, then set up Mackay, but he couldn't keep his header down.

To their credit, Guisborough were trying to play their way back into the game, and Chris I'Anson had the ball in the net on 63 minutes with an acrobatic effort, only to be ruled offside. Poskett then made a good reaction save from a powerfully-struck Luke Bythway volley from 12 yards.

On 76 minutes Guisborough got the reward their best spell of the game deserved when, after some slack defensive work by Consett, substitute Willie Boland lobbed Poskett from 18 yards. Three minutes later they were almost level when Onions got the better of Piecha on the right, and his low-hard cross across the face of goal just failed to pick out Michael Roberts and Austin Johnston sliding in at the back post.

Consett needed another goal to kill off the visitors' revival, and got it on 80 minutes when Burrell stole possession midway in the Guisborough half as they tried to play their way out from the back. his reverse pass put Walton clear, and the No 9 rounded keeper Norton before slotting into the empty net for his 11th goal of the season.

Walton looked in the mood for a hat-trick, and substitute Chris Hutchinson tried his best to set it up. A delightful pull back first saw a defender block Walton's shot, and then he couldn't quite get the angle to get his shot on target at the back post. Mackay then missed another chance after being set up by Hutchinson, who made a lively 20-minute cameo appearance.

Guisborough continued to try to take the game into extra time, and I'Anson was lucky not to reduce the arrears after going through two Consett challenges and firing inches wide, with Poskett beaten. the striker did reduce the deficit in the last of five minutes' added-on time, however, with a little helping hand from the referee. Poskett was penalised for picking up a backpass after a loose ball spun off David Scorer's boot, and I'Anson lashed home the close-range free-kick through the wall. There was no time for an equaliser thoguh, and it was Consett secured a home tie with Ramsbottom United from the North West Counties Premier Division in the 2nd Round.

Full time: Consett 3-2 Guisborough

GARY WELFORD