I'm not too sure sure if French is the Stan Army's strong point but the literal translation of Deja Vu is "already seen", this season we have already seen The Stan chuck away points at home to late equalisers for struggling Brandon and Easington, we've already seen David Paul gifted space to get a hat trick on his last visit to Grounsell ( in the 5 - 5 draw v Easington in September) and we've already seen the Stan create enough a chances to win two games but have to settle for a point......it couldn't happen again, could it? Well, not exactly but only because Paul only managed a double.

The Stan made three changes to the side that had won at Bedlington with Turnbull replacing Laidler on the left, debutant Lee Middleton replacing Mike Hall who was on holiday and Dan Mullen stepping in as a replacement in goal for Matty Smith who has been playing through the pain barrier recently due to a finger injury. The visitors who started the game in 16th place in the table handed a debut to the aforementioned Paul and included the experienced Chris Emms.

The Stan kicked off attacking the Church End in a 3-5-2 line up with Holland and Turnbull as wing backs in an attacking looking line up. However it was the visitors, and Paul in particular, who got off to a dream start when the Stan defence failed to clear a long throw and after a scramble on the edge of the 6 yard box the big number 9 side footed past the helpless Mullen in the second minute.

The Stan were quick to respond and on 4 minutes Jones shot over from 20 yards before the same player slipped Robertson in a minute later but his shot flashed inches wide of the far post. The pressure was relentless and the equaliser duly came in the 9th minute when Bailey, Jones and Turnbull combined to get Holland away down the right and although Josh's cross was drilled low and straight at Liddicot in the Crook goal he fumbled it straight to the feet of the incoming Dean Imray who poked it home from 2 yards out.

The Stan continued to attack, with Bailey and Imray getting on top in the middle, and Wright fired a free kick into the side netting before Liddicot missed another cross from Holland but Robertson could only head it over the top. It wasn't one way traffic with Crook having a shot trickle wide and then seeing a curling left footed effort drift over the top before Mullen was fortunate not to be punished after missing his kick when he came out to clear a long ball.

The Stan were then left indebted to Ray for an amazing last ditch tackle virtually on the goalline after Pigg had rounded Mullen and looked certain to score. At the other end Holland was given Parvin a torrid time and another run set up Wright who shot wide before Jones hit the outside of the post direct from a corner with the keeper struggling to get there.

The half finished with a foul on Turnbull giving Wright a chance from a 25 yard free kick which he fired just wide.

HT: Stan 1 - 1 Crook Town

The second half started as the first had finished and It was the Stan's turn to get off to a great start when Liddicot failed to cut out another cross, this time from Wright, and Jones was left alone at the back post to sidefoot the Stan into the lead in the 47th minute.

It was almost three a couple of minutes later when Robertson broke down the left, cut inside and smacked a shot against the bar, but against the run of play it was the visitors who got the next goal with Mullen taking a leaf out of Liddicot's book and coming for, and getting nowhere near, a harmless free kick into the box which allowed Paul's flick on to loop over him and into the net.

Again the Stan responded immediatley and Imray was next to rattle the bar with a tremendous 25 yard strike before Paul saw the first yellow of the game for a terrible foul on Turnbull.

The Stan kept pressing and Middleton fired over before Robertson almost got Turnbull in but the keeper was out quickly to smother, suberb control from Jones created another shooting chance but he shot wide and the Stan then withdrew Wright on 76 minutes and replaced him with Hoggins as they looked to get a winner. At the other end Mullen again miskicked when attempting a clearance outside of his box

Liddicot finally caught a cross on 77 minutes but a minute later, after a good move between Turnbull, Jones and Hoggins forced a corner, he was nowhere near Jones' flag kick and Hoggins headed home at the back post to restore the Stan's lead.

The Stan replaced Jones with Johnson on 80 as they looked to close out the game but disaster struck on 86 when Imray was adjudged to have fouled Paul who seemed to be backing into him and Mullen misjudged Emms 25 yard free kick to give Crook a third goal.

The Stan were rocked and Crook almost pinched the points when Josh was left one on one when they broke from a Stan free kick but bodies got back and cleared the danger.

FT: Stan 3 - 3 Crook Town

Once again the crowd had a witnessed an entertaining game which was a fine advert for Northern League football with continuous chances at both ends, although i doubt many had seen two goalkeeping performances like that before. The Stan were left to rue what might have been after hitting the woodwork 3 times but ultimately hadn't done enough at the back or in goal to earn the three points, hopefully these late equalisers against struggling teams won't come back to haunt us when the promotion places are handed out in May.

Before i go here is a quick question for you, in League games at Grounsell this season who is the top scorer?.......Wright?, Robinson?, Johnson?, Imray?, Tait?............none of them, it's David Paul!

Team 3-5-2 : Mullen; Middleton, Ray, Deagle ; Holland, Imray, Bailey (C), Jones (Johnson 80), Turnbull; Wright(Hoggins 76), Robertson.

Subs Not Used: Laidler, McKenna, Tait.

Goals: Imray 9, Jones 47, Hoggins 78.

Attendance: 120

Simon Lansley