Consett manager Tony Fawcett has paid tribute to the club’s fans after his side secured their place in the Northern Premier League for next season with a final-day win over Lincoln United.

His team came from behind after conceding in the first 10 minutes, and ran out 4-2 winners with goals from Calvin Smith, Danny Barlow, Dan Capewell and Scott Jasper.

And he said he is proud of his team and grateful to the fans for sticking with them when things got tough at various times during the season.

“We asked the lads to go and be really attacking and the performance was good. They have put a right shift in.

“When they scored we had to settle. I thought we’d get chances to score and was proved right.

“As soon as we scored our first goal there was only one winner. After we got in front we asked them to manage the game and be a bit clever and savvy.”

Tony thanked the Consett fans in a healthy crowd of 458 – the fifth-biggest of the season, despite it being such a rainy day – for sticking by his team when the going got tough.

“Our support is phenomenal. It was a miserable day, but you can hear them the whole way. Most fans love hard work and as long as you work hard for them they will back you.

“It’s been quite difficult at times this season for our squad. We’ve struggled a lot with injuries and we’ve had to put square pegs in round holes. People get frustrated when we don’t win games, and I understand that.

“I stand in the bar after every game and I’m an open book and people come and talk to me and I love that. Anybody that pays to come into this ground pays to have an opinion, and come and have a chat.

“They were brilliant today, they sang their hearts out, they backed the lads, and the lads grew off that. Every time we score at home they are straight over to the fans because they love them. I thank every single one of them that come in the gate. It’s valued by us all massively.”

Tony also paid tribute to one player in particular for the impact he’s had in his short time at the club.

Scott Jasper played for Tony at Northern League clubs Ryton, Whitley Bay and Whickham, and answered his call when Consett were going through an injury crisis which has lasted for most of the last two months.

Tony said: “Scotty Jasper has played for me for a long time and people joke and say I take him everywhere I go. I do, because he offers so much.

“He’s a hard-working, honest, good footballer, but he’s brilliant in the changing rooms as well. He adds so much to a club. He lifts the mood of everybody, he comes round and he’s infectious, and for someone to score a goal that keeps me in this division … I couldn’t have picked a better person to do it.”