Typical end-of-season fare as Consett played out a goalless draw at Bedlington Terriers in a rare Friday night fixture. To be fair, it wasn't that bad a game but chances were few and far between at a worn-out Welfare Park - hosting the 12th of 14 games played there in the last five weeks of the season.

Consett made a bright start and forced a free kick on the edge of the box as early as the fourth minute. David Pounder curled it round the wall but it was saved comfortably by Terriers keeper Paul Newton.

With Consett continuing to have the better of the early stages, the lively Sean Best latched onto a superb reverse pass from Guy Bates on 19 minutes and attempted to lob the advancing keeper from fully 25 yards out, only to see it drift agonisingly wide.

Terriers had threatened little in the first half apart from a few set pieces that came to nothing. However twice in the closing minutes of the first half they might have taken a lead into the interval. In the 42nd minute Shandran teed up Poole just outside the box but the tall centre back shot straight at Same Grieveson in the Consett goal.

Moments later they came closer still when David Southern saw a shot blocked on the line by Andrew Burton.

Half time: Bedlington 0-0 Consett

The second half was a very tepid affair with neither side able to make any headway. It was not until 20 minutes from time that a chance worthy of the name was seen and that was when Southern found himself clean through after beating Consett's offside trap. Grieveson made a brave save at his feet though, and Anthony Chapman volleyed the rebound wide.

Chapman came closest of all to scoring when, in the 82nd minute, he saw a superb free kick come crashing back off the crossbar with Consett keeper Grieveson a spectator.

With that, it seemed clear to all concerned that game was going finish goalless, especially when barely a minute later a firm well-struck Paul Talbot drive from just outside box went straight down Grieveson's throat.

Having been on the back foot for most of the second half there was almost a dramatic last minute winner for the Steelmen when Guy Bates volleyed David Pounder's cross goalwards from close range, only to be denied by a brilliant stop from Terriers keeper Paul Newton.

Soon afterwards the final whistle sounded and Consett accrued their 61st, and probably tamest, point of the season.

Full time: Bedlington 0-0 Consett

JPH