Consett tasted defeat for the first time in their pre-season programme today when they narrowly lost 2-1 at home to Pickering Town.
The Northern Premier League side scored twice in the first half, and although the Steelmen got one back after the break, they couldn’t find an equaliser.
Consett fell behind in the 19th minute when Pickering skipper Wayne Brooksby picked out Leon Osbourne, who finished powerfully past Kyle Hayes.
And the Pikes doubled their lead right on half-time when Brooksby headed a deep cross back into the danger area, it was flicked on by Osbourne, and Jackson Jowett was on hand to nod in from close range.
Consett came out for the second half full of attacking intent, and created more chances in the first five minutes than they had in the whole first half.
They got a foothold back in the game in the 73rd minute when the referee judged that Thomas McAloon had been fouled just outside the box, and Calvin Smith swept the resulting free-kick into the top corner.
Their best chance of an equaliser came in the 88th minute, when an excellent pass by sub Daniel Marriott put Michael Mackay through, but defender Ben Etherington saved the visitors with a superb last-ditch challenge, pictured top, just as the veteran striker pulled the trigger.
- It was a good awayday for the Pikes, as their Under-19s beat Consett U18s 4-1 in a friendly before the first teams met.