Dunston finished off a perfect Easter Weekend with a gritty 1-0 victory over local rivals Hebburn Town in front of a good crowd at the UTS Stadium. A first half strike from Michael Fowler and a superb penalty save early in the second half by Liam Connell meant that Dunston made it two wins from two this weekend, adding to Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Pontefract Colleries.

Michael Hall was named captain on his final home appearance for the club and was named man of the match for a fantastic performance at the back to keep Hebburn at bay, with Dunston playing a large proportion of the game with ten men.

After a slow start to the game, it was Richard Coulson who had the first chance of the game with Saturday’s double goal scorer curling an effort into the arms of Hebburn keeper Mark Foden. The game was scrappy, but Dunston had all of the running. Jack Elliott and Michael Fowler were causing problems up top, with Terry Galbraith and Michael Hall repelling every ball that came towards them.

On 33 minutes, Dunston took the lead. With the ball won on halfway, Dunston broke forward. The ball found its way to Michael Fowler who drove at the Hebburn defence, and from the edge of the box, fired low past Mark Foden to give the home side a deserved lead.

It almost got better for Dunston just before the break. Again, it was Fowler causing the issues. This time, a low shot was blocked towards goal by Oliver Walters in the box. 

In the second half, it began with much of the same pressure from Dunston, with tge home side controlling the game and coming close to a second, this time Richard Coulson crossed in and found Terry Galbraith who headed just over.

Ten minutes into the second half, Dunston were reduced to ten men. David Allasan capitalised on a Dunston mistake to race into the box, round Liam Connell and with the goal at his mercy, he was pulled back by Craig Baxter who was shown a straight red for the challenge. Oliver Martin stepped up for the penalty, but Liam Connell dived brilliantly down to his left to tip the penalty wide and keep Dunston’s lead intact.

As the game ebbed on, Dunston made the changes to try and preserve the lead with less threat and chances were limited going forward. Michael Pearson blazed over from distance, and Michael Fowler came close after being adjudged to have been offside. 

Hebburn were huffing and puffing, and almost snatched a point late on, with Tom Potter twisting and turning in the box, but just missing the top corner with a strong shot. Liam Connell continued to command his box well and the backline held firm in the final ten minutes to secure another three points and avenge the defeat to Hebburn earlier in the season.

All eyes now turn on the final competitive fixture of the year, with Dunston travelling to Bridlington Town on Saturday to see out the season.