The Post Mortem into the Stan's 95th minute defeat at Team North in our last game, which was held by the Stan Army in the Benton Ale House, concluded that it was the strength of the respective bench's which was the difference between the two teams. The Stan had brought on Lee Johnson, who lasted 5 minutes, and two promising 17 year olds; whilst the students bench was full of experience. On Saturday the Stan bench was equally experienced and was key to turning a drab draw into 3 valuable points as we look to climb the table.

The pre match buzz was all about the return of Jonathan Wright and Jordan Ray, Jon Jon has scored goals throughout his career and rejoins from Bishop Auckland whilst Razor rejoins from Walker Central and is now free of the Shin Splints that hindered him last season. There were 4 changes in total from the Team North game with Robinson and Deagle returning from injury to join Wright and Ray; whilst Yates and Jones dropped to the bench whilst both Errington and Riley have moved on to Blyth Town.

The visitors included Captain Stuart Owen who was sent off after the final whistle of the Stan's 1 0 win in Yorkshire in August for persistent dissent, and they kicked off attacking the Church End on a heavy looking pitch which was sure to cut up as the game wore on.

The opening quarter was cagey as both defences were on top and other than a dangerous ball across the Stan's 6 yard box there was little to report. The Stan eventually got going and after Deagle shot wide from 30 yards, Wright then shot across the face of goal from out on the left before missing the best chance of the half when sent clear and his left footed curler drifted wide. A free kick from Wright from 20 yards was wide, before he then crossed and the Northallerton keeper did well to punch clear as Imray challenged.

Northallerton forced the first corner of the game on 37 minutes which Smith easily dealt with and the Stan ended the disappointing half with a deflected cross almost falling to Holland and a Robinson shot being blocked, with Wright's volley from the rebound being easily saved.

Half Time: Stan 0 -0 Northallerton Town

Northallerton were first to show after the break and Sims should have done better on 48 but he shot over the bar when well placed, the Stan were restricted to shots from distance from Deagle and Holland as both teams 4-4-2 line ups cancelled each other out.

There was a scare for the Stan on 62 when a glancing header from a Northallerton attacker was saved by a combination of Smith and far post, this seemed to wake the Stan up and a great cross from Deagle forced their first corner on 65 and from this Jon Jon got in a shot at the near post which was well saved at the expense of another corner which was eventually scrambled clear.

As we entered the last 20 minutes most of the crowd of 97 would have believed a second consecutive 0 0 in this fixture was on the cards, but not Decka Thompson and Geoff Walker.They replaced Fulcher and Imray with the more attack minded midfield pairing of Jones and Johnson in an attempt to break the deadlock. Young Shane Jones was immediately on the ball and running at Northallerton and within 5 minutes the changes paid dividends when Jones beat 2 men in the centre of the pitch before releasing Deagle on the left and his superb cross was turned in on the volley by Lee Johnson.

The Stan were buzzing now and Deagle set up Robinson who's shot was blocked for another corner, this was cleared but Jones was soon at it again and another tremendous run set up Johnson again, this time he poked it past the keeper from close range for 2 - 0 on 78 minutes.

Northallerton were reeling but responded on 81 and Smith had to be alert to block with his feet at his near post at the expense of a corner, which was then cleared after another shot was blocked. With 7 minutes remaining Yates replaced Wright upfront for the Stan looking to continue his run of 6 goals in his last 4 games, but it was Johnson who had a glorious chance of a hat-trick on 85 as his close range volley was blocked and trickled inches wide.

The Stan stayed on the offensive as we entered stopppage time and firstly a Johnson cross was deflected for a corner, and then a great move down the right involving Stoddart, Holland and Yates set up Robinson who shot into the side nettting. There was still time left for the lively Yates to poke past the keeper on 94 but his effort rolled wide of the far post. The final whistle blew on 95 minutes with the Stan Army delighted with the result and the cameos from the bench from goal hero Johnson and Shane Jones, who had tormented Northallerton from the moment he was introduced.

Full Time: Stan 2-0 Northallerton Town

There was no doubt that the introduction of Jones and Johnson had deservedly won the points for the Stan and the management team should be applauded for opening the game up, but the foundations were built by the back five who were solid throughout with Ray outstanding.

This was our fourth successive home league win and with our next four league games also at Grounsell Park it gives us an excellent chance of getting back into the top six, providing of course that the bench is strong enough to support the starting eleven.

Stan Team (4-4-2) :Smith; Stoddart, Dixon, Wear (C), Ray; Fulcher (Johnson 70) ,Holland, Imray (Jones 70), Deagle; Wright (Yates 83), Robinson.

Unused Sub: James

Goals: Johnson 75, 78.

Attendance: 97

Simon Lansley