On the back of eight straight competitive wins, the Stan travelled to Teesside to play the league leaders. On a sunny but very cold afternoon there was one change to Wednesday’s team with Holland replacing Burns. New French signing ex-PSG Thibault Charmey made his debut from the bench. An Edward Hoggins was listed on the team sheet as being a sub but it turned out to be Ritchie who was making his 50^th substitute appearance for the Stan (he has started 55).

The Stan attacked from the start and had a corner cleared in the 3^rd minute. Regan then had to catch from a Billingham corner. The Stan countered and Town keeper Cranston just got to the ball before Robertson. A great move by Campbell saw him turn a defender then pass to Robertson who was brought down just outside the box. Cooper, who had a good game, took the free kick. Cranston got his hands to the ball but couldn’t hold onto it and Campbell put it in the net from close range for 1-0 after 7 minutes.

2 minutes later and Town got a corner but the Stan countered through Robertson who send the ball too fast across goal for Campbell to get. It was mainly Stan now although Town were looking dangerous on the counterattack especially through Hutchinson.

In 13 minutes, Bennett was brought down and the resulting free kick saw Miller’s header in the box being blocked. Hutchinson then broke free but Regan just got to the ball first. He then had to catch 2 minutes later before the Stan attacked and Cooper’s shot was deflected and Cranston, who had plenty of time to catch it, failed to do so and it was a corner for the Stan.

In 19 minutes Town had the ball in the net but it was offside although the loudspeaker started blasted outdreadful goal music. Holland then advanced into the box and crossed to Campbell who shot wide. There was a really late tackle on Martin in 20 minutes, which eventually resulted in him having to be replaced, but there was no booking.

It was getting more end to end with efforts at both ends although Cranston just got to the ball in time on 2 occasions. In 39 minutes, Imray gave the ball away which resulted in a deflected shot by Town which was stopped by a great flying save by Regan. Sayer then crossed to Robertson at the other end and he headed just wide. Both teams attacked again and although Town were getting stronger it was the Stan who ended the half nearly scoring when Robertson passed to Campbell in the crowded box but he shot just wide.

Town start the 2^nd half on the attack and in 47 minutes the Stan headed a ball from a corner away. The ball came back in and Hutchinson on the left slotted the ball past a defender and Regan to square things up. In 53 minutes, a Town free kick went over the wall and hit the post.

The Stan had 2 more attacks before Miller had to head out for a corner at the other end which was headed over. Sayer made a great tackle to stop a Town break after 59 minutes as the home team were looking dangerous on the break. In 63 minutes, there was a great run and cross by sub Charmey which eventually led to a Stan corner. There was then a comedy moment when a home player passed to a sub waiting to come on.

2 minutes later there was a good cross by Holland into the box but everyone who tried to shoot was blocked. In 67 minutes Town shot wide before Holland also shot. He then beat a defender but his cross was blocked as the Stan got back into the game. Sakellaropouls was blatantly pulled back by his shirt but the referee didn’t award anything but Miller was then booked for bringing a player down. The free kick was taken quickly and blocked 3 times. As the ball was cleared for the 3^rd time there was a crunching tackle on Cooper which only resulted in a yellow card for the offending player, a decision which surprised even the referee’s guide dog.

From 73 minutes, the Stan had a number of attacks although Holland had to clear a Town counter attack. In 80 minutes Cranston had to punch away a ball from a free kick before Town countered and Regan saved followed by Town shooting wide. The Stan attacked again but Cranston got to the ball before Hoggins. Campbell then headed over.

It was end to end now although Town were being increasingly physical. 2 minutes to go and a Town effort was cleared followed by Hoggins breaking but he was stopped by a handball decision. It was a tense ending with 2 Stan attacks blocked before Town attacked and the Stan had to clear 3 times.

The match finished with the home team shooting over the bar. A draw was a fair result for this competitive match especially as Wednesday night’s epic cup win over Whitley Bay appeared to have had an impact on the Stan players, especially Fulcher and Imray. The Stan though are now unbeaten in 9 league and cup matches.

Stan Team: Regan; Martin (Sayer 33); Sakellaropouls; Miller (Y); Bennett; Fulcher; Holland; Imray (Charmey 52); Campbell; Robertson (Hoggins 75); Cooper.

Subs not used: Kerridge; Fox.

Goal: Campbell 7.

Yellow Card: Miller

Attendance 225. Stan Army insisted that figure was in some doubt, more like 125.

Kevin Mochrie