CONSETT suffered a potentially damaging defeat against one of the teams fighting for their lives below them near the foot of the division. After throwing away the lead, they missed a chance to grab a share of the spoils after falling behind to opponents who had only won only three home games all season. Manager Kenny Lindoe made one change to the side which drew with Bedlington Terriers in midweek, Gavin Ross coming in for Harrison Davies.

On a day perfect for football, it was a question of which side would hold their nerve better as they sought points to stave off relegation worries, and Michael Mackay - who scored all five when Consett beat Roofing at Belle Vue in January - who came close to opening the scoring after five minutes. He advanced down the right, cut inside and unleashed a shot which cannoned back off the post. He reacted first to the rebound, and seemed to be fouled by centre-half Michael Hedley, but still managed to get in a shot, which was saved.

At the other end of the pitch, Paul Robinson, who had a short spell at Consett a few seasons ago, looked in the mood to add to his 11 goals in Roofing colours, and he had a shot kicked away by Carl Piecha before striking a rising free-kick over the bar from 25 yards.

Michael mackay shoots Consett ahead

Gavin Ross catches an opponent

On the half-hour Mackay showed him how it should be done, with a goal of stunning simplicity. Piecha won the ball just outside the Roofing box with a block tackle, and fed Ross. He passed to Mackay, who took a touch and then picked his spot just inside the left-hand post to give Consett the lead.

The goal should have given the visitors a lift, but it was the home side who finished the half stronger, and Consett had a huge let-off right on half-time. A deep cross seemed to catch the defence napping, and, although he had the freedom of the penalty area, Calvin McMahon crashed his shot against the underside of the bar. Poskett did well to keep out Kris Hughes' follow-up from six yards, though in truth he knew little about it.

Half time: Roofing 0-1 Consett

A good move down the Consett left then put in Anthony Lund, but Roofing keeper Jonathan Carmichael spread himself well to prevent the visitors doubling their lead.

It was to prove a vital save, as, by the 57th minute, his side had levelled. Consett failed to deal with a cross from the left, and Allen took advantage of indecision in the crowded penalty area to stab the ball home.

Fifteen minutes later things got even worse, as Roofing took the lead. Consett again had only themselves to blame, losing possession in midfield before allowing Davey Southern to surge down the left, cut into the box, and fire home past Poskett, without so much as putting a challenge in.

The visitors threw everything at the home side in a bid to salvage something from the game, and Matty Slocombe came close to getting his first goal four minutes later, after Burrell's cross from the byline picked him out, but Carmichael got down well at his near post to scramble his header away.

Lewis Tesdale lets fly

Matty Slocombe races through

Most people in the ground expected Mackay to register his 39th goal of the season from the penalty spot, but Carmichael read his intentions perfectly, and dived to his left to palm the ball round the post. It was the first spot-kick the former Hartlepool man had missed since his return to Belle Vue, and it was to prove costly.

Mackay and Piecha had headed chances as Consett became increasingly desperate for an equaliser, but the home side, who, with games running out, simply had to win to give themselves a chance of survival, managed to hold out for three points which could prove vital at the end of the season.

Consett, on the other hand, were left looking anxiously over their shoulder, particularly after wins for two more of the sides who started the day below them, Billingham Town and Penrith.

Full time: Roofing 2-1 Consett

GARY WELFORD