Town survive late scare after Clarke makes his mark

They emerged 4-3 victors from the type of game which strikers relish and defenders dread.

The Priorymen dominated an action-packed first half and deservedly led 2-0 at the break. Second-half strikes by Michael Todd and Jamie Clarke made it 4-1, but just as Guisborough seemed to be cruising to a comfortable win the home side struck back with two quick-fire goals.

The visitors attacked from the first whistle and should have taken the lead on six minutes when Todd fired in a piledriver from 25 yards which the keeper did well to tip over.

The opening goal, when it arrived, was a real beauty which came out of nothing. A Todd cross looked to have been headed to safety by a Hatfield defender and, under normal circumstances, it would have been.

But, unfortunately for the home side, the ball landed nicely for Sean Howes, who battered it into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

After this Guisborough cranked it up a couple of gears and threatened Hatfield's goal on several occasions. They doubled their advantage on 31 minutes when Clarke's shot whistled into the net.

Hatfield started the second half the better and tested Guisborough's defence a couple of times, before they halved the deficit.

A fine ball through the middle from John Brown found James Batchelor in the area. He turned and swivelled before curling a shot past the stranded keeper.

But their brief period of assertion soon came to an end. Even while they had the upper hand, Hatfield always looked vulnerable to quick breaks and Guisborough extended their lead on 76 minutes when Todd cut in from the right, turned two defenders, and planted home a sweet left-foot shot.

With only ten minutes to go Clarke got his second and Guisborough's fourth, but just as the Priorymen thought the job was done, the defence went to sleep.

Hatfield upped the tempo and, with the backing of an enthusiastic home crowd, nearly forced Guisborough into a replay.

Nippy forward Brown, who had shown his ability on a couple of occasions, scored two quick-fire goals to fray Guisborough's nerves. But they held on to book a place in the second round and a home tie against Northern League table-toppers Whitley Bay.

Guisborough: Pearson, McLean, Driscoll, Mowbray, Richie, McMahon, Swalwell, Clarke, Todd, Hawes, Leadbitter (Newton).

Tomorrow, Guisborough are at home to Dunston Federation, who are just below them in the league. The kick off at the King George V ground is 3pm.

l Guisborough won the team of the week award for their spirited 2-1 victory over league leaders Whitley Bay on September 2 and earned themselves a £100 cheque in the latest batch of Albany Northern League awards.

Northallerton Town 1

Easington Colliery 1

A controversial refereeing decision, combined with a brilliant performance from goalkeeper Darren Poole, earned Northallerton Town, fourth in division two, a vital point against third-placed Easington Colliery.

Poole was absolutely outstanding as the visitors, who were relegated from the first division last season, completely dominated the first half.

Poole made a superb save in the sixth minute as he threw himself high to his left to tip a 12-yard drive from Ian Matthews over the bar.

The visitors hit the post in the 17th minute, before the home side took the lead in controversial fashion and much against the run of play in the 42nd minute.

Easington full back Roger Ward appeared to have cleanly won the ball from Northallerton's leading scorer Neil Preston in the area. The assistant referee saw an infringement which was at first ignored by the referee, but after consultation he pointed to the spot.

Despite strong protests from the visitors, Lee Johnstone sent keeper Paul Marsh the wrong way with a powerful drive.

Easington drew level in the 64th minute with a simple goal by Steve Salvin and then created four great chances in the last ten minutes.

But Poole made two brave saves, while Hanson hit the post and shot narrowly wide