The Stan’s magnificent 12 match unbeaten run came to an end at a soggy Teesdale Park, Thornaby today, with a narrow 2-1 defeat in the Ebac Northern League division 2. 

The Stan opened the scoring after just 22 seconds from Dan Robinson but first half goals from Thornaby’s Kurtis Howes (pen) & Charlie Graham broke the hearts of the travelling Stan Army. Howes also had a penalty brilliantly saved by Stan 'keeper Dan Regan. 

Manager Derek Thompson made just the one change from Wednesday’s cup win over Washington, with Fulcher replacing Imray. 

Thornaby kicked off, Stan won the ball and immediately attacked down the right and a smart cross into the box and Dan Robinson made no mistake and put the Stan ahead after only 22 seconds! A dream start, and very nearly 2 after 7 minutes when Charmey cut in from the full back but his shot hit the side netting. 

The goal seemed to spur Thornaby on and they were soon on the attack but Regan made a great save on 7 minutes. Controversy in the 19th minute when a Thornaby cross into the box was judged by the assistant referee to be handled, which resulted in a penalty to Thornaby. Howes sent Regan the wrong way to equalise for the hosts. 

Stan had barely recovered when 2 minutes later they found themselves behind. Bennett was muscled out, the ball whipped in and Graham put the hosts ahead. Thornaby didn’t relax and piled forward looking for another, with the Stan struggling to regroup. 

A rare attack by the Stan on 35 mins let Charmey in but Thornaby keeper Dawson makes the stop. After dominating the half, Thornaby were fortunate not to concede a penalty just before the break, when Campbell was fouled right in the 18yard box. The official waved the Stan protests for a penalty away and had to settle for a free kick. 

A almost identical start to the second half as the first, when Robinson skipped passed the advancing keeper but his shot hit the post with the onrushing Burns agonisingly unable to get anything on the rebound. The Stan, much improved from the first half with chances for Sayer & Campbell all testing Dawson in the Thornaby goal. 

On 71 mins Stan made a double substitution with Kerridge & Robertson replacing Sayer & Robinson respectively. The Stan piled on the pressure, with the hosts seemingly settling for a 2-1 victory. 

Chaos in the Thornaby box on 83 mins with the ball loose but it just wouldn’t fall to a Stan boot. With time running out and the Stan piling forward, they were always going to be vulnerable to the counter and this duly happened a smart ball to the right and the Thornaby player cut inside the box, Regan comes out, and it’s all a bit messy, but the official points to the spot after some hysterics from the Thornaby coach. More confusion when Kurtis Howes, who was off the field receiving treatment inexplicably came on to take the penalty, duly failed to score when Regan made a fine stop. The Stan still had one more go but Robertson’s header is off target. 

So the unbeaten run comes to an end Stan clearly second best in the first half but superior in the second. They gave it a good go, but it just wasn’t enough against a decent side.

Heaton Stannington: Regan, Middleton, Hall, Miller, Bennett, Fulcher, Burns, Charmey, Campbell, Robinson (Robertson 71), Sayer (Kerridge 71).

Subs Not Used: Hoggins, Holland, Imray.

Goal: Robinson 1.

Yellow Card: Regan.

Attendance: 85.

Kev Carling