Report

Consett left it late, but a last-minute goal extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a 1-1 draw at Newton Aycliffe.

Manager Jason Miller made two changing to the starting XI from the previous game at Ossett, with Matty Todd and Ewan McGowan coming in for Ben Ramsey and Lewis Leech.

The hosts, who started the game in 17th, two points and two places outside the relegation zone, included two ex-Consett players, Matty Slocombe and Jake Orrell.

But it was an ex-Aycliffe player, Eddie Thomas, pictured top, who prevented the old boys completing a league double and moving further away from the bottom four.

The big striker, who helped Aycliffe win the Northern League in 2022-23, got on the end of a cross by fellow sub Ben Ramsey to earn the Steelmen a hard-fought point.

It was his third goal of the season and came just days after he came off the bench at Ossett to win the penalty which gave his hometown club a 3-2 win on their travels.

It was a game of precious few clear-cut chances, with Consett’s best two efforts of the first half both falling to top scorer Isaac Walker.

On seven minutes he cut in from the byline and tried to chip the keeper, but found the angle too acute, then in the 29th minute he was played in by Donny Holdsworth, and his shot came back off the post.

Skipper Charlie Exley had an effort blocked and Ewan McGowan saw a 20-yarder deflected wide off his own player as Consett looked more threatening.

But it was Aycliffe who took the lead on the stroke of half-time after some excellent play by their lively No 9 Tom Henson, who turned away from his marker before feeding Jack Robertson, who fired past the exposed Harry Moss to make it 1-0.

Half-time: Newton Aycliffe 1 Consett 0

The second half saw even fewer chances as Aycliffe clung on to their lead, but it was Consett who looked more likely to get the next goal as the game wore on.

Ramsey tested the keeper from the edge of the box in the 87th minute after combining well with Thomas.

Three minutes later the roles were reversed as Ramsey got the ball out wide and sent over a perfect cross, which Eddie Thomas headed home from six yards out to make it 1-1.

With six minutes added, Consett pressed hard for a winner, but the nearest they came was a Walker shot on the turn which was blocked by Slocombe, who had a good game at centre-back for Aycliffe.
MATCH REPORT: GARY WELFORD