CONSETT'S poor run showed no signs of abating as they slumped to a fifth successive defeat, and in truth it could have been much worse as West Auckland completed a seasonal double over the Steelmen.

Kenny Lindoe made six changes to the side beaten at Tow Law on Boxing Day, and it was a much stronger-looking side which started the game. There was a first start for Michael Pearson at right-back, and although there were three teenagers on the bench, the return of Ryan Bell and Anthony Lund did lend the team more experience. The visitors were captained by former Consett striker Mattie Moffat, but his ex-Belle Vue teammate Steven Brown was missing through suspension.

West were quickly out of the traps as the game kicked off in a very blustery wind, and coped better with the conditions. They showed why they are genuine title contenders by creating chances from the start. Michael Rae was the first to test Peter Jameson, but shot straight at him from the edge of the box, and the young keeper then did well to hold a near-post effort from Stuart Banks. The visitors came even closer in the 23rd minute when Jonny Gibson's header found Moffat, and he headed on to Gibson, who was unlucky to see his effort come back off the post.

West were well on top, and Banks tested Jameson again after exchanging passes with Rae. Moffat was the next to be denied by Jameson, who blocked the striker's volley after the visitors sprung the offside trap. The respite didn't last long though, and in the 29th minute, the former Consett forward beat two men before rifling past the keeper from an acute angle. West could have added to their advantage with Banks firing over and Moffat seeing another effort held.

Consett had created next to nothing: a Michael Mackay shot that was deflected behind for a corner and another chance right on half-time where a defender whipped the ball off the toe of the Steelmen's top scorer before he could get his shot away being all they could muster in a one-sided 45 minutes.

Half time: Consett 0-1 West

After being on top playing against the wind, it was West's turn to have the blustery conditions in their favour, and they picked up where they left off with Banks and Moffat both having efforts held by Jameson. Rae should have doubled their lead when he got in behind his marker, but his attempted lob didn't come off and dribbled wide.

Centre-back Mark Stephenson powered a header from Alex Francis's free-kick just past the post, and West thought they had extended their lead in the 62nd minute when Banks's shot was saved and Moffat finished from close range, only to be flagged offside.

Francis fired a free kick over before Banks blazed high when played into space on the left as West continued to spurn chances. However, they got the vital second goal in the 73rd minute when the ball was worked into space where Elliott Gardner, their recent signing from Newton Aycliffe, made it 2-0.

The goal at last spurred Consett into life. Jonjo Dickman burst into the box, only to take a tumble as he went for a return pass, but his appeals for a penalty went unheeded. West keeper Mark Bell, who'd been a virtual spectator, had to save from David Molloy as Consett finally got a shot on target in the 80th minute, and Mackay came within inches of giving the hosts hope when he struck the side of the post.

Molloy flashed another shot inches wide as Consett sought an unlikely lifeline, but their hopes were extinguished as the game entered stoppage time when a mistake by sub Luke Gilbert let in Francis on the right, and he played the ball across the face of goal for Moffat to slide home his second of the day against his old club.

The goal was his 25th of the season in all competitions, one less than Mackay, and the Consett No 10 missed a chance to grab a late consolation when a fine pass by Dickman put him clear, but although his shot beat Bell, it also went the wrong side of the left-hand post.

With half a dozen players missing, this was always going to be a difficult game for Consett, who gave a late debut to 17-year-old sub Jack Stanger, but at least they didn't drop into the bottom three, as defeats for Jarrow Roofing and Billingham Town meant they stayed 18th.

Full time: Consett 0-3 West

GARY WELFORD