Dunston left West Yorkshire empty handed following a disappointing 3-4 loss away to Brighouse Town. Having taken a 2-1 lead into half time, in a second half reminiscent of the away game to Pickering Town, those in attendance on a damp and cold afternoon witnessed the home side overturn a deficit as the visitors squandered the chance to move nearer to the play off positions.

Dunston Manager Chris Swailes made changes to the formation and line-up to the side that had been so convincing against City of Liverpool in midweek. Michael Pearson returned with Dan Halliday moved to the bench and elected to start with 4 at the back whilst Erno Bostyan retained his place in goal.

The visitors started the first half well, Scott Heslop went close to opening the scoring, dragging a shot wide from a Liam Marrs free kick. The opening phase of the game was a scrappy affair on a heavy pitch,  Dunston deservedly took the lead on 19 minutes through Marrs who found himself unmarked at the back post and finished well from a superb Mark Fitzpatrick cross.

Liam Marrs, pictured above celebrating Dunston’s opener.

The lead lasted all of 3 minutes as Jack Boyle fired in a great strike from the edge of the box, despite claims of offside.

Luke Page and Liam Marrs both had good chances to put Dunston ahead, Page firing his effort over the bar, seemingly pulled back in the process, whilst Marrs dragged his effort wide of the goal in a one on one with the keeper.

Mark Fitzpatrick put Dunston ahead on 32 minutes from the penalty spot, Luke Page chipping a reverse pass to elude the Brighouse Town defence was met with a great first touch from Fitzy, only to be dragged down in the box. The Dunston forward confidently dispatched his spot kick to give Dunston the lead heading into half time.

Scott Heslop could’ve further extended Dunston’s lead, connecting with a Liam Marrs ball from out wide, only to be denied by Brighouse Town keeper Jordan Porter.

Missed opportunities in the game were to be to Dunston’s detriment. Dan Capewell conceded a free kick on the edge of the box, up stepped Joe Jagger to riffle a venomous shot past Bostyan and level the scores on 58 minutes.

Heslop had a great chance to level but hit his first time effort hit over the bar as Ursene Mouanda had played the ball round the back of the Brighouse defence. 

Dan Capewell timed a perfect challenge inside the box to prevent Jagger from extending the home sides lead as Dunston still remained in the game.

From this point on the hosts controlled the game as Dunston were put under pressure. Dunston‘s substitutes and changes had little impact upon the game, conversely the introduction of Eddie Church from the home side created issues for the away side.

Brighouse took the lead on 77 minutes, again from a free kick, and despite Dunston lining up a 5 man wall, Reece Kendall hammered a powerful shot straight through the wall.

The game was put beyond doubt as Brighouse Town claimed their 4th goal on the 87th minute, on the break, substitute Church turned well inside the box, lost his marker and accurately sent his shot into the far corner.

Luke Page grabbed a goal in injury time, knocking in a ball across goal shot from close range to give the visitors a faint glimmer of taking something from the game. Jack Elliott was unable to connect with a Liam Marrs free kick in the dying moments of injury time as the referee drew a close to the game.

The result now means Brighouse Town move three points above Dunston in the table. Dunston now slip down to 13th in The BetVictor Northern Premier North West Division. Three points from today’s game could’ve moved Dunston up to 9th in the table with games in hand, and will not doubt feel like a disappointing afternoon. Dunston will have an opportunity to lift themselves up on Tuesday night with a home game against Marske Utd. 

Dunston UTS FC Supporters Club Man of the Match awarded to: Liam Marrs.

Liam Marrs is sponsored by:

Home shirt - Billy Park

Away shirt - Newcastle Legends

Recovery equipment - Miss Gracie Robison 

Training kit - SH Earcare

Dunston FC away kit is proudly sponsored by Astley Signs

Dunston FC are proudly sponsored by UTS Engineering Ltd.

Match photography courtesy of Mr Ken Fitzpatrick.