There were 7 changes from Saturday’s defeat as the Stan looked to end their run of 4 league defeats (5 including the Vase). These included competitive debuts for Dan Bennett and Connor Campbell and a competitive start for John Fox. Campbell, signed this week from North Shields, is not to be confused with John Campbell who briefly played for the Stan in pre-season.

Third bottom and having played dreadfully in the 2^nd half on Saturday, the Stan Army were not confident as they marched to Jarrow. Their fears were reinforced 25 seconds into the match as Higham broke free from a long ball and slotted his shot past Regan to give the hosts the lead. Higham had space again in 4 minutes but shot wide.

The 1^st Stan attack was not until 8 minutes when, from a throw-in and under pressure, Kerridge did well to get a shot in but English got down to save. In 12 minutes, Jarrow were claiming a penalty when Miller tackled a player in the box. The Stan remained under pressure and were nearly 2-0 down in 17 minutes when a Jarrow ball was cleared off the line. 3 minutes later and a Jarrow high ball into the box went just over.

It was still all one-way traffic with the Stan’s only shot being the 1 from Kerridge. Campbell did then attack but English got to the ball 1^st. In 23 minutes, a shot from a Jarrow corner was cleared then Regan got his hand to another shot. Jarrow had another shot blocked before a cross into the home box in 25 minutes saw Fox wait for the ball to drop but his shot was blocked.

This was the start of a period of Stan pressure with the visitors getting the ball into the home box on a number of occasions. In between though, in 32 minutes, a Jarrow player got through the defence but was blocked by Regan. In 34 minutes, a good run by Kerridge saw him cross to Campbell who passed to Bennett who shot just wide.

In 36 minutes, Burns twisted and turned getting past the defence but he shot wide and high. A through ball to Campbell saw him cross into the box only for both Burns then Fox to be blocked.

The Stan kept attacking into the home box including Kerridge shooting over then missing a cross from Burns. The Stan pressure continued and they got their 1^st corner in 40 minutes. The Stan got a 2^nd corner and the ball was back into the home box 3 more times but it would not drop favourably for the Stan.

The 1^st half had ended more brightly for the Stan and this continued into the 2^nd when in the 47^th minute Bennett won the ball and passed to Fox who sent the ball to Campbell who confidently ran towards goal and slotted the ball past English for 1-1.

In 49 minutes, the ball was headed just over and wide for a Stan corner. From it, Imray shot just wide. It was all Stan so far in this half and in 51 minutes a Fox long shot went just wide. 4 minutes later, there were calls for a Stan penalty when Campbell was brought down in the box although nothing was given.

The Stan were performing like a different team now and the pressure paid off in 57 minutes when good work by Fox saw him 1 on 2 but he still managed to get his cross into the box for Campbell to head home for 2-1 for the Stan.

Regan easily caught in 63 minutes followed by a Fox run which saw him pass to Kerridge whose shot went across the goal to be miss hit by Burns.

Jarrow picked up a couple of yellow cards for fouling. It was all Stan now as they sought to tie up the win with a 3^rd goal. In 74 minutes, Fox broke free and he was deemed off-side when he appeared on. Both Campbell and Fox were playing well and at times they were helped by Burns runs down the wing and crosses.

In 75 minutes, Fox twisted and turned under pressure eventually getting a shot in from the edge of the box but English got down to save. Jarrow then had to clear from just in front of the goal but rebounded out for a corner. From a 2^nd corner, Campbell shot high and wide.

In 79 minutes, a Jarrow player cleared straight to Fox who miskicked to Imray who shot just wide. In 83 minutes, Jarrow had a brief period of pressure when an attack was cleared in the 6-yard box but led to 2 corners. They then had a long-range effort which was headed away just off the goal line and then caught by Regan.

The Stan then attacked again with Fox’s curving shot going just wide. With 2 minutes to go Jarrow also shot just wide. Fox then countered followed by a Campbell attack. Both teams sought a goal in the last few minutes although the Stan had more chances including through a great move by last minute sub Nakhli.

The players, staff and fans all left Perth gardens in positive mood and Derek Thompson the manager, put it down to his half team talk although the team selection and the continued combined determination of the players (especially given the early goal conceded) also helped. Although Jarrow has a strong political history, it was the Stan’s two striking minors that everyone was talking about and looking forward to seeing in action again on Saturday at Chester.

Stan Team: Regan; Middleton; Hall; Miller (C); Bennett; Fulcher; Burns; Imray Fox (Nakhli 90); Campbell (Bailey 86); Kerridge (Deagle 77).

Subs Unused: Jones.

Goals: Campbell 47,57.

Attendance: 125.

K. Mochrie