Grand National Day saw Consett exit the Durham Challenge Cup at the first hurdle today when a late winner gave Birtley Town a 2-1 win.

The delayed 1st Round tie was the first match in four months for Consett and their 2nd Division hosts.

And Terry Mitchell’s side looked rusty, to say the least, on their first-ever competitive meeting with their hosts.

It was Daniel Marriott‘s first competitive start, while Darren Holden and Arjun Purewal made their 100th and 150th appearances respectively.

In a first half of few chances it was Birtley who took the lead on 15 minutes when a long ball sent JOE BARWICK clear.

He kept his composure to round keeper Kyle Hayes and finish to give the 2nd Division side a 1-0 lead.

Consett didn’t manage a shot on target in the first half, and trailed 1-0 at the break.

But they got themselves back in the game on 57 minutes when SIMON JAKAB headed home Jake Orrell’s free-kick with the help of a deflection, pictured above.

There were few clear-cut chances for either side, though Consett were grateful to Hayes for a good diving save from Owen Lancaster, diving low to his right.

A penalty shoot-out looked on the cards until Birtley grabbed a winner four minutes into injury time.

Jack Honour’s shot was blocked and Barwick’s follow-up saved, but KELVIN THEAR was first to the loose ball for a tap-in which gave Birtley a deserved win.

• Full match report and more pictures HERE.