Having lost last night, the Stan needed to win to keep their slim chance of promotion alive. As the season was supposed to have finished last month, Crook’s ground was unavailable because it was booked for a music festival so the match was played at Consett, the scene of the Stan’s FA Cup exit in August. Surprisingly there were only 2 changes but only one sub was available.

The Stan kicked off on a balmy evening which was a change from the artic and windy conditions they faced last August here. Crook had the 1^st chance in 2 minutes but Smith easily stopped it. 2 minutes later and a cynical foul on Wright gave him a good chance but his free kick was easily saved.

The Stan had started well, especially given they were on a plastic pitch, but there was a lull until 16 minutes when there was a great run by Crook’s Smith but great defensive work by hall prevented a goal. In 20 minutes there was a great run and cross by Burns but Salim’s shot was stopped by a fine save by the Crook keeper. 4 minutes later there was another great run by Burns but his pass could not be reached by Wright or Salim.

In 29 minutes Wright was through on goal but, with the best chance of the match so far, he dragged his shot wide. The Stan had another great chance 3 minutes later but it was halted by good Crook defending.

In 37 minutes Crook’s Clark was through but Smith pulled off an incredible save to deny him a goal. 2 minutes later and a snap shot by Wright saw Crook keeper Scott stop it. The Stan did go into half time in the lead when a great cross by Salim saw Wright make no mistake for his 101^st goal.

The 1^st 7 minutes of the 2^nd half were scrappy and Crook were still in the game. In 55 minutes, a long ball by Crook saw Hall almost head into his own goal. In 61 minutes a snap shot by Burns saw Scott make a good save. It was Smith’s turn to make a good save 3 minutes later and again a minute later.

In 69 minutes the Stan were 2-0 up when great work by Jones sent Salim clear and he calmly rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into the net. The Stan were looking for a 3^rd and in 75 minutes Laidler cut inside but his shot was blocked. 5 minutes later a superb move was started and finished by Wright but his shot went just wide.

In 83 minutes great work by Salim his shot partially saved but there was no one there to follow up. A 3^rd goal came in 84 minutes when the ball was played through to Captain Fantastic Joe Wear who slotted it home.

Several Stan players were now limping but they were still looking for a 4^th although they were relieved when the final whistle was blown. So, after a spirited performance the promotion race is still on (just) and the players now have 2 sleeps to recover before Saturday’s trip to Chester. Whatever happens it has been a fantastic feat by a small squad playing 9 games in 17 days.

Team: Smith; Parker; Sayer; Wear (C), Hall; Fulcher; Holland (Laidler 60); Jones; Wright; Salim; Burns.

Goals: Wright 41, Salim 69, Wear 84.

Yellow Card: Jones.

Attendance: 35.

Kevin Mochrie