By Brian Bennett

Ryan Donaldson will take the headlines after his late goal proved to be the winner for Ashington against Bishop Auckland on Tuesday night.

However it was two brilliant saves in the dying minutes by ‘keeper Ryan Catterick – playing against his former club – which guaranteed the Colliers all three points on a cold and damp night at Heritage Park.

They were forced to do things the hard way too, after going behind in the first half but the win was no more than Nick Gray’s side deserved.

The Wansbeck side left every ounce of energy on a stamina sapping pitch and although they are not totally out of the woods yet, the victory gives them more breathing space in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League as they now sit seven points above fourth from bottom Bridlington Town who they visit on Saturday week (February 22).

The first piece of action came in the seventh minute when Catterick saved a shot from Joe Bartliff with Gary Martin’s effort from the follow up flashing narrowly wide of the far post.

Bishops then took the lead in the 19^th minute. The space opened up on the right for Bartliff to surge through into the penalty area and although Catterick did extremely well to parry Bartliff’s fierce drive into the air, Martin headed home the rebound.

Ashington had shouts for a penalty when Josh Gilchrist went to ground from a Craig Spooner corner – before the Colliers got back on terms in the 27th minute with a well worked goal.

Ben Sampson won back possession inside the Bishops half and found Spooner on the right flank. He passed forward for the overlapping Ryan Wombwell and when the full back crossed to the near post, Gilchrist turned the ball into the net from six yards.

Before the interval, Catterick denied Martin then the home number ten crossed for Johnson who fired wide.

The first half had been played at a frenetic pace – and there was no let up after the interval.

Catterick pushed out a free kick from 35 yards by Bartliff then on the hour Johnson had a great chance after he skipped inside but fired off target.

Ashington had opportunities too.

Gilchrist was played through but was blocked then a lovely move down the left involving Bailey Geliher and substitute Jordan Summerly came to nothing after the full back’s cross was directed straight at home ‘keeper Jack Norton.

Scott Lowery flashed a header just wide of the near post from a Spooner corner then at the other end, a flag kick by John Howard almost caught Ashington out until Catterick punched it clear.

When sub Gary Ormston broke forward and released the ball to Spooner, the midfielder was through but clipped his effort over the bar.

Manager Nick Gray then introduced Donaldson and two minutes later, he put Ashington in front.

Sub Wilson Kneeshaw found Wombwell down the right and when the defender crossed, the ball ballooned up into the air. When it came down, Donaldson found the net with a left foot shot which crept just inside the post.

The action continued right up until the final whistle. Catterick saved from Bartliff then seconds from the end, the ‘keeper dived low to his left to deny John Howard.