After a break of nine weeks league football returned to Grounsell Park as the Stan welcomed highflying Crook Town to NE7. During the enforced absence the Stan had played 3 away games, winning at Redcar and Chester Le Street but losing out at Ryton. During the same period the visitors had played 6 league games and won them all, a run that had seen them climb into the top 3 of the division.

The Stan were forced into 3 changes with Stoddart, Sayer and Mason all unavailable which meant recall's for Imray and Kerridge and a first start of the season for First Team Coach Deagle. Crook were also missing key personnel in Dunwell and Holiday but were able to include new signing Hickman.

The Stan kicked off attacking the Car Park End with a strong breeze at their back on a soft pitch that was sure to deteriate as the game progressed. The opening quarter of an hour was a non event as both teams struggled to come to terms with the conditions and although the Stan had plenty of possession neither keeper was tested. That changed on 19 minutes and the Stan really should have gone ahead as Makepeace in the Crook goal fumbled a Paterson cross onto his own bar but Kerridge somehow managed to blaze the rebound wide from 3 yards out. Relieved to still be on terms, Crook saw a shot deflected just wide with their first counter and from the corner Ball made a superb save from a free header.

The visitors continued to press and Kent should have done better when he exploited space down the left but he hesitated as he entered the box and the shot was blocked. The Stan responded and a quick break released Paterson but his cross was too deep for Fiedler, Wilson was next to attack for the Stan but his drive cleared the bar by a foot and that was the last action of a disappointing first half.

HT: Stan 0 - 0 Crook

As the players emerged for the second half the weather turned for the worse with the Stan now defending with rain and sleet slanting into their face, it made no difference though as they were quickly onto the front foot and a run and pass from Wilson released Fiedler on 52 minutes but the Australian, who had twice finished with aplomb on his debut at Chester last week, hurried his effort and sliced wide as the keeper advanced.

Crook responded a minute later and Ball made a fine save before Paterson twisted and turned at the other end before shooting over the bar, this would be Paterson's last input and he was replaced by Robinson soon after.

The visitors took the lead with their next attack when Kent rose highest at a corner and his downward header skidded in at the far post. 

There was a further let off for the Stan on 72 minutes when Stephenson cut in and curled a shot past Ball who was relieved to see it thump the base of the post.

A Stan Free Kick was blazed over by Robinson before Morgan Paterson replaced Fiedler, a back pass almost sold Makepeace short but he was out to clear as Robinson closed him down. A minute later and Robinson should have restored parity when he received the ball 10 yards out at the back post but his left foot shot flashed wide with the keeper beaten.

Crook kept the ball well as we entered the last 5 minutes and the Stan struggled to create anything until the 92nd minute when a great Kerridge cross was headed clear from underneath the Crook crossbar with Paterson ready to pounce.

FT: Stan 0 - 1 Crook

The Stan had given their all but had again come up short against promotion rivals, the conditions had no doubt suited Crook's more direct style but the Stan had missed the best 3 chances of the game and because of that ended up empty handed.

The visitors, who had defended much better than in the reverse fixture in August when we scored 4 and could have had more, were organised and spirited throughout and it was easy to see the confidence that an unbeaten run gives. Hopefully the Stan get some players back in and get on a good run themselves, starting with Durham City on Wednesday, or suddenly the gap to the promotion places becomes too big and our season is done before it really started.

Heaton Stannington (4-5-1): Ball, Simpson, Deagle, Hall, Ray, Paterson (R) (Robinson 61), Imray, Bailey (C), Wilson, Kerridge, Fiedler (M Paterson 81).

Subs Not Used: Regan. 

Referee: Dave Carr.

Assistants: Barry Mudd, Mark Baston.

Attendance: 151.

Simon Lansley