The Stan arrived at Bedlington's Dr Pit Welfare ground on the back of three defeats which had seen them surrender their place at the top of the table and crash out of both the Northumberland Senior Cup and the Ernie Armstrong Memorial Cup. The fact that these defeats came after an unbeaten 13 match run was both baffling and worrying to the travelling Stan Army who made up half of the crowd at Dr Pit's.

In a bid to stop the rot Decka made four changes and reverted to a 3 5 2 formation. Deagle, Bailey, Jones and Wright came into the side with Dixon, Johnson, Turnbull and Robinson dropping out with the latter pair named on the bench. Defender Lee Middleton hadn't completed his transfer from Blyth Town in time and watched from the sidelines.

The hosts who started the day in 15th position have a fair few ex Blyth Town players in their squad with Heron, Atkinson and Miller named in the starting line up. Terriers have had a mixed start to the season with 6 wins from their first 17 games but they had beaten current league leaders Northallerton Town at home three weeks earlier.

It was the Stan who got the game underway, on a poor pitch which would make good football difficult, attacking the clubhouse end. The opening minutes were cagey to say the least with neither defences tested as long ball after long ball were cleared and neither side could get any sort of passing going through the midfield.

With both defences well on top it was a surprise when the Stan took the lead with the first shot on goal of the afternoon in the 18th minute. There didn't seem to be much on when Jonathan Wright lined up a free kick 30 yards out on the right hand side but instead of whipping in a cross he played it short to Andy Robertson who held it up and laid it back to Jon Jon who floated a fine finish over Stewart's head and in at the far post to break the deadlock.

It was Wright again five minutes later and he looked to be through on goal but he was harshly penalised for a foul on the Centre Half. Jones was next to break for the Stan but his shot was easily saved and the Terriers finally had their first shot at goal on 29 minutes but it was straight at Smith. The Stan responded and no one could get a touch to the end of a driven corner from Wright before Imray headed another corner wide.

Imray had another effort on 35 minutes when a good move down the right created a bit of space for him but he volleyed over the bar. The last 10 minutes of the half saw the Terriers come more into the game but they never looked like troubling Smith and it was the Stan who went in at the break witht the one goal advantage.

HT: Bedlington Terriers 0 - 1 The Stan

Bedlington were first to attack after the break with Henderson driving inches over the bar on 47 minutes and Deagle made a fine saving tackle two minutes later when Atkinson looked to be in behind the Stan defence. It was the hosts in the ascendency now and successive corners were eventually cleared unconvincingly by the Stan before Jones sent Holland away down the right but his cross was claimed by the keeper.

The Stan were forced into a substitution on 57 with Ray being replaced by Turnbull which meant we reverted to 4 4 2 with Laidler and Holland filling in at Full Back. Two minutes later a rash tackle from Laidler inside the box saw Bedlington awarded a penalty and McMahon sent Smith the wrong way from the spot to level the game at 1 - 1.

Not much of an attacking threat had been seen from the Stan in the second half but they responded immediately and three minutes later a quick break down the right saw Wright cut into the box on his left foot and bury a fine finish past Stewart and into the top corner to restore the Stan's advantage.

Turnbull ws beginning to have an impact on the game and Henderson saw the game's first yellow card for hacking him down in full flight before the hosts forced a couple of corners which Smith punched clear. Terriers kept up the pressure and Smith made a smart save on 75 to preserve the lead before Bailey was booked for a foul as Bedlington looked to break clear.

The Terriers bench were furious on 84 minutes when Wison broke clean through only to be corectly flagged for offside but the pressure continued although the lack of a telling final ball or a decent forward for the hosts meaning that Smith was rarely troubled.

Richie Hoggins replaced Andy Robertson on 85 minutes and Turnbull eased the pressure on the Stan goal with a forceful run on 88 which was ended by another foul which earned Miller a yellow card, with Jon Jon shooting over from the resulting free kick.

Bedlington won a corner as we entered stoppage time which was cleared by Hall and although the hosts spent much of the added tme in the Stan's half they lacked the quality to break down the resolute defence.

Full Time: Bedlington Terriers 1 - 2 The Stan

The result was slightly harsh on Bedlington who had taken the game to the Stan in the second half but despite their pressure, the lack of creativity and quality upfront meant that they had rarely threatened Smith's goal. For the Stan it was a welcome return to winning ways and whilst it hadn't been a vintage performance the spirit and graft was pleasing to see as they battled to earn the 3 points that took us into second place in the table, two points behind Northallerton with a game in hand.

Team 3-5-2 : Smith; Ray (Turnbull 57), Hall, Deagle; Holland, Bailey (C), Imray, Jones , Laidler; Wright , Robertson (Hoggins 85).

Subs Not Used: Robinson, McKenna, Tait.

Goals: Wright 18, 62.

Yellow Cards: Bailey.

Attendance: 48.

Simon Lansley