Consett bowed out of the FA Cup after a below-strength side missing nine players lost 3-2 at home to Bridlington Town at Belle View Stadium.

The Steelmen took the lead against their higher-ranked visitors twice, and dominated in terms of possession and chances.

But they couldn’t hold onto it as the Northern Premier League side twice came from behind and then snatched a winner to progress to the 1st Qualifying Round.

Consett took the lead after nine minutes when recent signing Olly Scott crossed from the left and Stephen Callen volleyed in from six yards, for his first goal for the club.

Dale Pearson hit the post, Callen fired another chance into the side netting and the Seasiders keeper Charlie Dixon made a good save from Jake Orrell as the Steelmen dominated the first half.

They had a let-off in the 39th minute when Bridlington had the ball in the net with their first real attack, but were saved by the linesman’s flag.

Consett hit the woodwork for the second time when Luke Carr’s free-kick on the stroke of half-time missed everuone in the box and came back off the post.

But they were made to pay for missed chances when Bridlington equalised in first-half injury time, Danny Earl going on a run down the left and finishing in off the near post.

A minute into the second half Consett regained their lead. James Martin’s ball through the middle was dummied by Callum Guy, and Dale Pearson took it in his stride before smashing a shot into the net from 20 yards, pictured below.

Incredibly, a minute later it was 2-2 as Andy Norfolk beat keeper Kyle Hayes to a ball down the left, and when his effort came back off the post, Danny Earl scored his second of the game from the rebound.

Consett almost got their noses back in front immediately, as keeper Dixon got the slightest of touches to Callen’s shot, to tip it onto the bar – the third time the home side were denied by the frame of the goal.

The winning goal came on the hour, when Bridlington skipper Pete Davidson went on a surging run and played a neat one-two before firing a low shot past Hayes.

Orrell was denied by another good save from Dixon, pictured top, and Pearson and Martin both fired into the side netting as Consett strived for an equaliser.

But the visitors defended resolutely, their game management was good, and they saw out the rest of the game, to take their place in the next round, despite being distinctly second-best in the first half.

To make a bad day worse for Consett, they were deposed as Northern League leaders by next Saturday’s visitors Thornaby, who beat Penrith 6-2.

Our next game is on Tuesday night, when we play Bishop Auckland in a Division One fixture at Belle View, KO 7.30pm.

• Full match report and more pictures to follow.