Report

Dan Marriott proved to be Consett’s matchwinner as a much-changed side came from behind to win a hard-fought Division One Cup tie 3-2 at North Shields tonight.

But it was another Dan – goalkeeper Daniel Staples, making his first appearance for the club in 11 years – who ensured the Steelmen progressed to the 2nd Round.

With first-choice keeper Kyle Hayes taken ill and his deputy Ross Coombe unavailable due to work, the 31-year-old answered the club’s SOS to don a first-team jersey for the first time since August 2011.

His big moment came in the 86th minute, when North Shields, pushing hard for an equaliser, were awarded a penalty.

The Robins’ top scorer Dan Wilson stepped up to take the kick, but Staples pulled off a brilliant save, diving low to his right, and the follow-up was blazed over the bar.

It was a dramatic end to a game which saw both sides make full use of their squads, resting several players for more important fixtures in the weeks ahead.

Shields took the lead after just two minutes when David Robinson cut in from the right and hit a low shot which took a deflection off a defender, giving Staples no chance.

Consett levelled on 14 minutes through Calvin Smith, who picked up possession 30 yards out after good work by Darren Holden, and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

On 27 minutes Consett took the lead, Darren Holden scoring direct from a corner, with Shields keeper Greg Purvis seeming to misjudge the flight of the ball, which dipped over him into the far corner.

And five minutes before half-time the Steelmen looked firmly in control when Nick Cassidy whipped in a disputed free-kick from the right, and Dan Marriott flashed home a header from eight yards.

The second half saw the home side step up their game, and they made it 3-2 in the 54th minute when David Robinson scored his second of the night, reacting quickly after a cross-shot by JJ Chrisp fell to him.

Shields spurned a great chance to level when Regan Paterson broke through but fired wide on 68 minutes, and 10 minutes later Cameron Cunningham had another golden opportunity, but lobbed over the bar.

Then came the late penalty drama, with Staples emerging as Consett’s hero. After five added-on minutes of backs-to-the-wall defending, it was the Steelmen who progressed to meet Redcar Athletic in the next round.

• Full report, stats and more pictures to follow.