Report

Consett learned another Northern Premier League lesson tonight when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Stocksbridge Park Steels, despite taking the lead.

The Sheffield side pinched all three points by taking their chances against a Consett side who played some decent football, but were found wanting in both boxes.

Zak Atkinson gave the home side the lead on 14 minutes, pictured top, when he finished a lovely flowing move down the left involving Evan Horwood and Colin Larkin. It was his sixth goal of the season, making him the club’s top scorer.

But on 25 minutes it was all square when the visitors broke quickly from a Consett attack and pacy striker Ify Ofoegbu beat two men before burying a shot past Ross Coombe.

In added time at the end of the first half Declan Bisset brought a fine save from Steels keeper Harrison Davison-Hale with a stinging drive from 20 yards, and the sides went in level at the break.

Parity didn’t last long, however, and a defensive error in the first minute of the second half gifted what turned out to be the winner to the visitors.

A loose pass by Coombe was seized upon by Stocksbridge, who were playing a high pressing game, and Leigh Whelan made it 2-1.

Jake Orrell and Calvin Smith had efforts deflected wide and Cyril Giraud and Adam Mitchell both missed headed chances as Consett pressed for an equaliser.

Larkin almost rescued a point for Consett in the second minute of added time, but his well-struck 25-yarder came back off the bar with the keeper beaten.

The defeat saw Consett drop a place to 10th in the NPL Division One East table and means they have now gone eight games without a win (if you count the West Auckland cup game as a draw).

• Full match report and more pictures to follow.