A CONTROVERSIAL refereeing decision, combined with a brilliant performance from goalkeeper Darren Poole, earned fourth-placed Northallerton Town 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.

They attacked from the kick-off and made their intentions clear as early as the first minute when Tony Hanson broke through in the inside left channel and flashed a great shot just wide of Poole's right-hand post.

Poole then 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.

It was all Easington and they went close again in the 15th minute when a right-wing cross from Matthews was met at the edge of the area by Lee Dixon, but his low shot went inches wide.

The visitors continued to press and they were desperately unlucky in the 17th minute as a 15-yard drive from Dean Hanna crashed against the post.

After absorbing all this pressure, Town at last got into the game and mounted their first serious threat on the Easington goal in the 34th minute when Wayne Gredziak, on the right side of the area, flashed a shot just wide of the far post.

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 referee Mr Peacock, but after consultation he pointed to the spot.

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

Right on the half-time whistle Poole had to be at his best as he tipped a curling shot from Matthews over the bar.

Easington continued to press at the start of the second half and Hanson should have done better in the 50th minute.

He was clear through on goal, but his shot lacked accuracy as he fired high over the bar.

The visitors missed another good chance three minutes later when a left-sided free kick from Matthews was headed over the bar by Steve Routledge.

Town hit back and Preston was presented with a good opportunity after midfielder Routledge completely missed his kick, but the normally reliable striker screwed his shot wide.

Town were now having their best spell in the game and they created two good chances in the space of a minute.

Micky Pugh did well in the 60th minute as he found Matthew Swales with a fine forward pass. Swales then played in Preston, who fired just over the bar from a good position in front of goal.

A minute later Northallerton should have gone two up when Easington keeper Marsh lost the ball outside the area, but Town failed to take advantage as Swales fired wide of the empty goal.

These two misses proved costly as Easington drew level in the 64th minute with a simple goal.

Hanson played a square pass from the left across the area to the unmarked Steve Salvin and he scored with a low shot across Poole into the far corner.

Easington almost took the lead three minutes later when a glancing header from Salvin, following a right-wing cross from Matthews, was cleared off the line by Andy Murphy.

The visitors finished strongly and in the closing ten minutes they created four great chances.

In the 80th minute Hanson made a great break through the middle and was desperately unlucky to see his shot beat Poole, but strike the post.

A minute later Poole made a brave save as he dived at the feet of Salvin, who was about to shoot from inside the six-yard box.

In the 85th minute Hanson beat a hesitant Town offside trap to race unchallenged into the area, but his shot from just to the left of the goal went inches wide.

Poole was again the saviour in the last minute as he once again dispossessed Salvin with another brave dive at the striker's feet.

The point keeps Northallerton in fourth place with 25 points from 12 games, six points behind leaders Penrith.

Tomorrow, Town visit second-placed Shildon, who are defending a 100pc record of 27 points from nine games