Just as it seemed as if these two promotion heavyweights had punched themselves out for an honourable, if ugly, draw, much travelled Dean Nicholson, recently arrived from Jarrow Roofing with whom he endured a 4-3 defeat at Grounsell Park in late November, ensured that Seaham Red Star did exactly what The Stan had done at Seaham Town Park in mid-October when Lee Johnson, who finally completed his 3 game suspension following his red card away to Team Northumbria today, popped up with a decisive header in the dying seconds; namely, he won the game for the away side with a punishing late finish.

With the North Shields promotion juggernaut showing no signs of slowing, Jarrow Roofing continuing to pick up points with a 6-3 away win over Stokesley and West Allotment Celtic showing their mettle by coming from behind to outscore Tow Law Town 4-3 at Ironworks Road, this was a potentially very damaging defeat for The Stan; whilst a victory could have reduced the number of clubs in the shake-up at the top of the table to 4, Mark Collingwood’s side cannot be discounted after this result. It seems as if the promotion race, or at least those seeking to find shelter in the vapour trail behind a North Shields side for whom the victory line must already be in sight, will go right to the very end of the season.

The first half of this contest, played out in front of an impressive crowd of 147, was a desperately tight affair on a heavy pitch, will two strong, determined and equally matched sides seemingly unable to create clear opportunities, though debutant keeper Rikki Donaldson had cause to display great agility in tipping away a Dean Nicholson lob. Immediately afterwards Gary McGarrigal fed Jonathan Wright who whistled an effort inches over Shaun Newbrook’s bar. As the half drew to a close, Seaham took the lead when Stan captain Joe Wear was adjudged to have tripped Conor winter in the box. This being the decision, the red card that followed was inevitable. To add insult to injury, Adam Johnson stroked the penalty past the despairing leap of Donaldson into the corner of the net.

Immediately after the break, lightning struck twice; a stupendous clearance from Donaldson fell for Wright in the Seaham box. As he turned to shoot, he was brought down by David Short; the penalty, red card and equaliser by Wright were all seemingly inevitable. Wright could have given The Stan a precious late lead, but opted for power over placement and sliced just wide. Immediately play switched to the other end when Dean Nicholson seemed to have been tripped by Donaldson, but surprisingly a third spot kick was not awarded, despite the incredulity of the visiting support and players. In that sense, if not on the balance of play of the game as a whole, justice was served when an unmarked Nicholson ran on to a low cross into the box a few minutes later and finished with less than complete assurance, into the corner past an exposed Donaldson.

Despite frantic late efforts, Seaham held firm to record an important win and The Stan were left to reflect on the need to put this defeat behind them, if the dream of successive promotions is to be achieved. Keep believing, never give up and Follow the Stan!!

Stan Team:

Subs:

Yellow Cards: Iredale, Deagle.

Red Card: Wear.

Attendance: 147

Goals: Wright 48 (pen)

Kevin Mochrie