The Stan missed a great opportunity to move up the league when they suffered their third home loss of the season after twice being ahead. There were 3 changes from the team that lost at North Shields on Wednesday night including a debut for Josh Holland who has signed from Ryton where he previously played up front along with Dan Robinson.

The game started brightly with both sides playing some attractive football. On 15 minutes, Josh Holland put the Stan in the lead with a nicely taken goal. Easing ton will be disappointed in giving the ball away but it was a fine effort from Josh who still had a lot of work to do to score.

Easington showed why they are pushing for promotion and they came back strongly with chances for Page and Smith but Stan glove man Matt Smith was more than up to the task. The pressure told in the 28th minute when a clumsy challenge gave Easington a penalty and Kenney sent Smith the wrong way to make the scores level.

Gary Dixon replaced Joe Fulcher in the 38th minute. Four minutes later the Stan regained their lead with a lovely goal made in Ryton when Josh Holland turned provider and sent a lovely cross to another former Ryton player, Dan Robinson, who headed beyond the diving Easington keeper for a lovely goal. This allowed the Stan to go into the break 2-1 up.

The second half started with Easington playing well and they had a number of chances but the Stan were holding firm. The Stan’s Gary Dixon dragged his shot wide and could have put the game out of sight. However the Stan defences were breached when another needless foul on the edge of the box saw Kenney rifle a shot into the top corner to make it 2-2.

Easington wanted more and the Stan defended deeper and it was no surprise when, with 11 minutes remaining, Easington’s Smith poked the ball home to send the visitors into the lead for the first time.

Easington seemed content just to run the clock down and when the referee blew for full time there were no complaints from the Stan as they were beaten by the better team on the day.

Stan Team: Smith; Stoddart; O’Brien (Yates); Williams; Errington; Fulcher (Dixon); Holland; Imray; Robinson; Blackett; Deagle.

Unused Subs Wear; Jones; McCabe.

Goals: Holland 15, Robinson 42.

Yellow Cards Imray.

Attendance: 104.

Kev Carling