Match Report

By Brian Bennett  |  Photos: Ian Brodie

Ashington suffered their second league defeat in three matches on Tuesday night when a goal in each half from Michael Pearson and Harvey Neary sealed a 2-0 win for Dunston.

The result saw Dunston go top of the East Division table in the Pitching In Northern Premier League on a night where the Colliers came away empty handed despite staging a late rally.

Craig Spooner had a 90^th minute penalty saved by home stopper Dan Lowson who also denied a close range effort from Ryan Wombwell.

In the first half, there was little in the way of goalmouth action to entertain a crowd of 368 but the 13^th minute proved to be unlucky for the Wansbeck side as they went behind.

A deflection fell to Pearson who with all the time in the World, hammered the ball home inside the far corner from the edge of the box, past the outstretched hands of ‘keeper Matty Alexander.

The only other clear opening came seven minutes later when following a deep free-kick pumped towards the far post, the ball bounced out to Ashington skipper Karl Ross but he skied his effort well wide.

Early doors in the second period, Spooner whipped in a great free-kick from the right which by-passed everyone at the far post.

Midway through the period, it was Neary who doubled Dunston’s lead. He won a 50-50 tackle just inside the Ashington half and after advancing hit a right footer which took a deflection before it looped over Alexander’s head and into the net.

In the 78^th minute, Chris McDonald crossed for substitute Dan Turner but he was denied by  Alexander who made a fine block.

Ashington had played better in the second half and in the closing stages, they desperately tried to get back into the contest.

After Sam Davison had fired into the side netting, the substitute was brought down in the area by Jude Swailes but Spooner’s penalty was pushed away to his right by Lowson.

Then in stoppage time, Wombwell met a corner from the left but somehow he was thwarted by Lowson.