CONSETT were unfortunate to lose by the only goal of the game to title-chasing Whitley Bay at Hillheads. Manager Kenny Lindoe was forced into one change from the side which beat West Auckland in the Durham Challenge Cup, with the cup-tied David Molloy returning in place of shoulder injury victim David Brown, with Anthony Lund reverting to left-back. Whitley included both their former Steelmen, David Pounder and Gary Ormston, at left-back and central midfield respectively.

On a bone-hard and barely playable pitch Consett just about shaded the possession in an almost completely eventless first half. They started in much more confident fashion than when the sides met at Belle Vue Park in September, enjoying more of the possession and trying to test Whitley’s reserve keeper Michael Hammond, who was deputising for the injured Kyle Hayes. Despite good approach work, their finishing was wayward and Hammond was rarely put under any pressure.

Jonjo Dickman wins the ball

Whitley’s first attempt of note came after 11 minutes when Paul Robinson cut in from the left and let fly from 20 yards, but drove his shot wide of the left-hand post. Consett replied by forcing a succession of corners which came to nothing, and the next chance fell to the home side, after a clumsy challenge by Gavin Ross on Robbie Dale gave Whitley a free-kick 25 yards out. Dale wasted the opportunity, however, firing well over the bar.

David Scorer heads for goal

At the other end, Harrison Davies, fresh from his midweek hat-trick at West Auckland, was posing a threat on the left flank, and curled a free-kick wide of goal. Whitley's Gareth Williams, returning from injury, then did well to cut the ball back from near the right corner flag, and keeper Peter Jameson punched his cross away unconvincingly. The ball fell to Paul Chow, who dragged his shot wide.

The visitors failed to make the most of their last opportunity of the half when Ross headed over the bar from a left-wing cross by Lund. The interval arrived with the score 0-0, and neither side having really looking like altering that.

Half time: Whitley 0-0 Consett

After the break Whitley came out stronger, and within two minutes they had the ball in the net, Chow chipping over Jameson, but the 'goal' was ruled out for offside. Chow's crossfield ball to Robinson then saw the No11, who was Whitley's most dangerous player, turn his man and chip a shot just over the bar.

Lee Kerr, on as a sub for the injured Lee Paul Scroggins just before half-time, began the move that led to the crucial goal just before the hour. The ball found its way out to young right-winger Michael McMullen, and when he delivered a great cross to the back post, Robinson was on hand to head across Jameson into the net.

With half an hour still to play, Bay fans were hoping for more goals to secure victory, but it was not to be. Robinson burst through but fired just wide, then at the other end Consett were unlucky not to equalise when Jonjo Dickman's well-struck shot from the edge of the box from a half-cleared corner was cleared off the line by Callum Anderson.

A great ball from Kerr put McMullen in on goal as Whitley looked to seal their victory, but Jameson did well to block the shot at the near post. Kerr then had an opportunity himself when he broke clear with just the keeper to beat, but his attempted lob lacked power and Jameson saved easily.

David Molloy surges past a defender

Conditions deteriorated as the temperature dropped, but players on both sides coped well, and Consett piled on the pressure in the last 15 minutes as they sought an equaliser to earn them the point which their efforts deserved. Davies twice failed to get attempts on target, and David Molloy, who worked hard with little reward by way of chances, forced Hammond to save well with his feet.

Anthony Lund takes on Gary Ormston

Ross and Mackay were then both inches away from getting on the end of a teasing Lund cross, but Gareth Williams cleared the danger, and with the last kick of the game Mackay just failed to pick out Davies as Consett broke, but it was not to be, and the Seahorses hung on for the three points which took them to the top of the table.

Consett's performance certainly deserved a point, but they lacked a cutting edge, and their fifth consecutive league defeat left their just one place and one point outside the relegation places. Next up? Jarrow Roofing, one point and one place behind them. If there can be such a thing as a six-pointer at this stage of the season, this is it.

Full time: Whitley 1-0 Consett

GARY WELFORD