After five straight home wins the Stan would have been delighted to see Esh Winning were next in line as they looked to make it six in a row, the Durham side are propping up the table and have been beaten in all seven previous League meetings between the two clubs. However our visitors came into the game on something of run with 10 points gained from their last five games as they have closed the gap on the teams at the bottom of the table.

The visitors progress was sure to be hindered as they were without main goal threats Clarkson and Hewitson although they did include recent signing Chrissy Mordue. Despite their recent good run the Stan freshened things up with three changes from the side that easily beat Bedlington last time out with Waters, James and Jones replaced Stoddart, Imray and Dixon with the latter two taking a place on the bench. It was the visitors who got the game under way with the pitch looking better than it had done for the previous home games, but with a swirling wind making control difficult.

After a dull opening the Stan almost took the lead on 8 minutes when a Free Kick from inside the centre circle travelled all the through the to Esh keeper who seemed to lose his bearings and collected the ball with his body behind the goalline but with his outstretched arms holding the ball on the line. Esh reacted to this scare with Grey shooting across the face of goal from a tight angle.

The Stan were finding it tough as Esh worked hard to close them down and it was obvious that this Esh side were better organised and harder working than what we've seen recently, however Robinson should have broke the deadlock on 15 when a good move down the right involving Fulcher, Waters and Holland created a shooting chance on the edge of the six yard box but unfortunately the top scorer totally miskicked with the goal at his mercy.

Esh responded and Smith had to be quick of his line to clear from outside his box and then on 29 minutes Smith firstly made a fine block at the expense of a corner which he first punched clear and then made another save as the ball was recycled.

Robinson then broke down the left and almost made something out of nothing although it looking like an Esh handball had halted his progress, however he wouldn't be denied and in the 38th minute he raced on to a fine through ball from Jones and was tripped by the chasing Wilkinson with Jon Wright sending Fish the wrong way from the resulting penalty.

Again Esh came back, and after a scramble in the box, Stoker thought he had equalised when he turned in a rebound off the post only to be flagged offside; and half time arrived with Smith making another two routine saves.

HT: Stan 1 -0 Esh Winning

The Stan were forced into a change at Half Time when Robinson who hadn't recovered from the knock he received when winning the penalty was replaced by the Legend Yates.

Esh were first to show after the break and Mordue should have equalised from 6 yards on 47 minutes but he sidefooted wide. Jon Jon Wright was coming more into the game and after twice shooting wide he then broke clear through the middle and was fouled in the box, he kept going and shot wide when a penalty was sure to be given.

The Stan were getting on top and the second goal duly arrived when Jordan Ray climbed high above the floundering Fish to head home Wright's free kick from out on left on 61 minutes. Gary Yates then forced a save out of Fish with a header and Wright shot wide, but Esh kept battling on and forced another couple of corners before James was forced into a clearance from a dangerous cross by Boakes. The Stan replaced Fulcher and Deagle with Dixon and Imray, and the Esh keeper then made a fine fingertip save as Yates tried to lob him, from the resultant corner Joe Wear put a good chance over the top from 6 yards.

On 85 minutes great work by Dixon and Wright teed up Holland but his drive was blocked on the line by an Esh defender. The visitors continued to the end and Smith had to produce a fine save from Stoker in the 94th minute to protect his clean sheet.

Full Time: Stan 2 -0 Esh Winning

The Stan had deserved the win but had been made to work hard for the three points by a resolute Esh Winning who will have a great chance of avoiding the drop if they are able to play like they did for the rest of season. I don't think there'd be too many of the Stan Army disappointed if they do survive as a trip to the their picturesque ground is always well supported by the Stan.

The win moved the Stan up to seventh place and with games in hand on five of the teams above us it is all to play for as we enter the last quarter of the season.

Next up is a trip to Tow Law who themselves are currently on fire, mind you i'd still recommend you wrap up warm if you're making the trip up into the hills of Durham.

Team 4-4-2: Smith; Waters, James, Wear (C), Ray; Fulcher (Imray 67) ,Holland, Jones, Deagle (Dixon 73); Wright, Robinson (Yates 45).

Unused Sub: Johnson

Goals: Wright 38 (pen), Ray 61.

Attendance: 111

Simon Lansley