A large crowd watched as the Stan hoped to start another long unbeaten run. There were 2 changes from last Saturday’s defeat at Thornaby with Robertson replacing Robinson and Sakellaropoulas replacing Bennett.

After 8 minutes, Robertson shot under pressure with his effort hitting the Crook keeper. The Stan had more of the ball but both teams were trying to attack. In 13 minutes the Stan had a joint attack which was at first blocked but the ball came back to Burns who crossed into the box for Campbell whose header was put out by a good save from Pentony in the visitor’s goal for a corner. The corner was cleared but the Stan soon attacked again with Robertson shooting straight at the keeper. The Stan then had a free kick cleared.

The Stan continued to attack but the Crook defence stood firm. A joined up attack by Robertson, who was having a good game, and Campbell was blocked. In 20 minutes there was a game changing moment when in the middle of the park both Burns and a Crook player went for the ball and caught each other. As Lewis’s studs were slightly up, and the visiting player did an exaggerated scream which would get him a part in a teen horror movie, he was undeservedly given a straight red card.

The player advantage encouraged Crook who immediately attacked and shot over the bar. In 24 minutes the Stan shot over followed by a great ball from Campbell to Robertson who went 1 on 1 with a defender, who fell over, and shot past the keeper at a tight angle but the linesman indicated a foul.

In 26 minutes, Crook attacked and Middleton had to stretch to put the ball out for a corner. 3 minutes later and Miller also put the ball out for a corner. Campbell got a shot in the 6 yard box but he was blocked and offside was given. The Stan continued their joined up attacks although Crook were getting forward more now as a result of the player advantage.

In 37 minutes Middleton shot over. A minute later and a Crook player advanced towards the Stan penalty box and although surrounded by defenders he tried a long lob which went into the net. A minute later and 10 man Stan were back level when Middleton advanced down the right and tried a great shot from a tight angle and scored. In 41 minutes Robertson hit the side netting as both teams sought to take the lead. The Stan got the opportunity to do so in the first minute of injury time when Middleton was brought down in the Crook box. Campbell took the penalty but uncharacteristically shot well over

The 2^nd half started relatively quietly. The Stan did have more of the opening attacks although Sakellaropulas did have to clear off the line. By 20 minutes into the half the Stan were putting increasing pressure on the Crook defence who had to also clear off the goal line. In 68 minutes a joined up attack saw the increasingly dominant Stan force a corner through Miller. Crook then shot just wide through the crowded box.

The Stan pressure paid off in 69 minutes when another Stan attack was 1^st blocked but Campbell sent a great cross into the far post where Charmey headed the ball into the net for 2-1. Charmey soon attacked again but was brought down just outside the box. Robertson took the free kick and hit the wall with his rebound shot going just wide.

The Stan kept attacking and in 73 minutes Robertson opened up the defence and passed to Campbell who past back to him near the bye line and Robertson’s shot went in off the post for 3-1. In 77 minutes a ball from a Stan corner went right across the goal and missed everyone.

In 82 minutes a blasted Crook shot was blocked by Miller with Regan catching the ball from the resulting corner. Hoggins then hit the outside of the post and in 87 minutes sub Robinson shot just wide. In 88 minutes, Crook got a goal back when a cross into the crowded Stan box was then put into the net. The match ended with a short period of Crook pressure as they sought an equaliser but the Stan defended well and held out for victory.

Ironically losing a man seemed to assist and encourage the Stan. The performance showed what the Stan are capable of even when a man down, going behind and missing a penalty. Manager Derek Thompson was happy just to get the 3 points and the Stan are next Saturday away to Durham.

Team: Regan; Middleton; Hall; Miller (C); Sakellaropoulas; Fulcher; Burns; Charmey Campbell (Robinson 78); Robertson (Hoggins 80); Sayer (Imray 51).

Subs not used: Holland; Kerridge.

Goals: Middleton 38, Charmey 69, Robertson 73.

Red Card: Burns.

Attendance 193.

Kevin Mochrie