Report

Consett’s first home Boxing Day game in 13 years saw them finish 2025 exactly the same way they started it – with a 1-1 draw against Heaton Stannington.

Jason Miller’s side were the better side in the first half against visitors who were unbeaten in their last seven matches, and they went in a goal up at half-time.

But the Stan stepped up a gear in the second half and found an equaliser to secure a point which lifted them into a play-off spot, while Consett remain 12th.

Consett had the game’s first chance after six minutes when Isaac Walker played a lovely one-two with Donny Holdsworth and found himself through on goal, but when he delayed his shot, Heaton keeper Alfie Gordon was off his line quickly to block.

The visitors had their first chance three minutes later when Konner Lamb drifted in at the far post, but Harry Moss made a good save at his near post.

Moss was involved as Consett opened the scoring on 25 minutes. He punted the ball downfield, and after letting it bounce, Heaton centre-back Joe Robson tried to head it back to his keeper. But Gordon failed to collect under pressure from Holdsworth, pictured top, and the home side took the lead with an own goal.

Three minutes later Consett had a chance to double their lead when Holdsworth played in Walker, but the Steelmen’s top scorer blazed wide when well placed. At the other end, Heaton had another chance through Lamb, but Moss again saved well.

Holdsworth had a shot blocked at the end of another good move, and the interval was reached with Consett leading 1-0.

Heaton made a double change at the break, and another just after the hour, and it was one of their subs, Jay Errington, who grabbed the equaliser in the 74th minute. A diagonal ball from the left found him on the right, he cut inside and fired into the far corner.

Errington almost grabbed a winner on the last minute, flashing a shot wide from the left side, but despite five minutes of added time, neither side could find a winner in a game of precious few clear-cut chances.

When the final whistle went, a draw was about right, with the scoreline a repeat of the result at Belle View on New Year’s Day.