North Shields 0

Northallerton Town 3

WITH the match of the day between the two leading second division clubs Newcastle Blue Star and Washington Nissan being postponed, Northallerton Town took full advantage to move into pole position with a superb 3-0 victory at North Shields last Saturday.

But, although the scoreline suggests a comfortable victory, it was not until the last ten minutes that Town made their superiority count.

In freezing conditions, Northallerton made the better start and took the lead in the 12th minute when a quickly-taken free kick from Andy Swalwell was touched to Dominic Gamble. He in turn played in Simon Colligan, who took one touch before side-stepping a defender and drilling a low, ten-yard drive past keeper David Lanning.

Colligan almost added a second in the 27th minute when he cut inside from the right wing and, after beating full back Martin Lamb, hit a shot to the near post which was well saved by Lanning.

Town continued to control the remainder of the first half, but neither side really threatened.

North Shields, who are the only side to beat Northallerton in the league at the Calvert Stadium this season, made a strong start to the second half and only the brilliance of Sam Dobbs in the Town goal prevented them from turning the game around.

In the 57th minute he pulled off a brilliant save to deny Craig Mendum, who was in the clear following a left-wing cross from Anthony Robson.

David Thompson then had a good chance for the home side in the 64th minute, but he fired wide from a good position in front of goal.

Ross Diamond then went close for Town in the 74th minute, but his lob over Lanning from a position just to the left of goal narrowly cleared the bar.

Dobbs was again the Northallerton saviour when he pulled off an absolutely fantastic save, going full length to his left to hold on to a full-blooded close-range drive from Paul Gibbs.

But, after absorbing this pressure, it was Town who finished the game the stronger. They increased their lead in the 83rd minute when a poor back pass from Andy Stokes was intercepted by Ross Foreman and he played the ball through for substitute David Onions to fire home from the edge of the area.

Onions went close to adding a third in the 87th minute when he made a good run from the right across the edge of the area before hitting a powerful shot which drifted just wide of the post.

Onions and Foreman linked up for Town's third goal in the 89th minute when Onions played a perfect right-wing cross into the box for Foreman to out-jump the home defence and power in a great header which left Lanning helpless.

Northallerton are now top of the league with 60 points from 27 games, while Washington Nissan are second with 58 points, but they have played only 24 games.

Third are Newcastle Blue Star with 58 from 25, fourth are West Allotment Celtic with 55 from 25 and sixth are Prudhoe Town with 52 from 27.

Town are at home to Seaham Red Star tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.