By Brian Bennett

Reflecting on the 2-0 defeat against Dunston on Tuesday night, Ashington manager Nick Gray said the home sides’ quality was the difference.

Dunston skipper Michael Pearson fired his side in front after 13 minutes and midway through he second half, Harvey Neary added a second. Ashington couldn’t break through and even when they were awarded a late penalty, Craig Spooner’s effort was saved by ‘keeper Dan Lowson.

Gray said: “First half we matched Dunston for effort but the difference was their quality in possession. We gave the ball away so much – what’s the point in working hard if you’re going to give the ball back to the opposition? At half time, I was quite pleased that we were only 1-0 down even though they didn’t cut us open. For the goal we had plenty of bodies in the box but no-one took responsibility for picking people up. Space doesn’t score goals – players do. The kid has had a shot and if you don’t shoot you don’t score – its as simple as that.”

He continued: “Second half I thought we were the better side until we conceded. But after winning a 50-50 challenge on the half way line, Harvey Neary has run 50 yards, advanced and guess what he’s done? He’s pulled the trigger and deflected it over the goalkeeper so he’s earned his luck.”

He went on: “It was a slick greasy pitch tonight and I thought it was lovely. We had opportunities to score goals at the end. We got the penalty but Craig Spooner’s effort was hit at a good height for the ‘keeper which was disappointing. I’ve known Dan Lowson for years at Morpeth and for me he’s the best goalkeeper in the league. Sam Davison has come on and had a couple of chances. He made the penalty and hit one just past the post. If we had scored, who knows because Lowson has made a great save at the end from a corner.”

He added: “My concern is that we did well against Bishop Auckland but you’ve got to be consistent. It’s still early days and as a group we need to have more belief. I cannot fault the lads’ work ethic – they kept going until the end but imagine if we had looked after the ball better? Dunston are a good side and they have aspirations of trying to go up (promotion) but it was a game where their quality showed against ours at the important times and that was the difference.”