The Stan travelled to Teeside in search of their first league win of the season. The sunshine eventually broke through a bank of unusual low cloud at the Evolution Arena.There were 4 changes from the cup line up. From the bench, Andrew Johnston made his debut along with Lee Johnson who has returned to the club.

Billingham attacked in the first minute but after 4 minutes Wright ran down the left wing with 2 players on him and shot into the side netting. Both teams attempted to attack and in the 9th minute Dan parried the ball and then saved a shot resulting from a home corner. The pressure was now all from Billingham and the Stan had to make a number of clearances.

In the 13th minute, against the run of play, Wright spent ages on the edge of the box trying to twist and turn past defenders. Just when it looked like he had run out of steam, he passed to Grieveson in the middle of the box. His shot was blocked but the ball went to Watson who shot to make it 1-0. From the kick though Billingham’s Ross, noticing Rule was on the edge of his box, shot and the ball went over the keeper’s head to make it 1-1. Hoggins replaced the injured Grieveson in the 23rd minute. Quine shot over from the edge of the box. A Wright attack in the 27th minute saw the home keeper Campbell ran out of his box and handle the incoming ball resulting in him being sent off. Wright shot the free kick through the wall but just wide.

The Stan were now putting pressure on. In the 38th minute, Axon put a good ball up to Wright who beat the defence but hit the left post. Telford then ran and shot but his effort was easily blocked by the keeper. In the 42nd minute, the ball was passed to Wright just outside the box and, when it looked better to cross because of being surrounded by opposition players, he blasted the ball into the left hand corner of the net to make it 2-1. In the final minute, after starting the initial attack, Telford in the box passed to Watson on the edge of it who chipped the ball over the keeper to make it 3-1. Wright then beat the defence but was eventually blocked when he could have passed to Hoggins.

In the second half, as is often the case, the team with the extra man found play more difficult. The Stan attacked from the start with Wright shooting just over the bar. Blliingham did not give up and had a shot just wide in the 51st minute. There were then attacks at either end. A home attack in the 61st minute, saw the ball passed across the box followed by Rule and a home forward running into each other. The referee awarded a penalty but Callendar’s attempt was saved by Rule who dived to his right. The rebounded ball eventually came back into the box and Billingham shot over when they should have scored.

The Stan were losing shape and direction and Billingham tried to take advantage, especially through the hard work of Maloney, including with a corner headed just wide. In the 70th minute, Johnson’s free kick was chipped over the wall to Wright who was just blocked by the keeper. There were then attacks at either end. In the 84th minute, a home attack saw the unmarked Maloney run through and brought down on the edge of the box. His free kick went through the wall and past Rule to make it 3-2. Three minutes later and Telford counter attacked down the middle under pressure but blasted the ball into the net to make it 4-2.

Neither the management team or the fans could believe the 2nd half performance. The important thing though was that they held on for their first league win.

Stan Team: Rule; Scott; Axon; Ray; Quine;Dodsworth; Telford; Weeks (A.Johnston); Wright;; Grieveson (Hoggins-later replaced by L.Johnson); Watson.

Subs unused: Morrison.

Goals: Watson 14, 44, Wright 42, Telford 87

Attendance: 93.

Kevin Mochrie