Dunston started the day in 6th place, knowing that a win could lift them back into the play-off places as they faced a tough challenge against 9th placed Stocksbridge Park Steels, who despite having played one more game. Were only two points behind Chris Swailes’ side.

Stocksbridge opened the scoring on 10 minutes, with Elliott Walker adjudged to have been tripped in the box, up stepped Luke Mangham, the forward’s spot kick going in off the post as he claimed his tenth goal of the season.

Liam Thear levelled things for the hosts on 18 minutes, Baxter’s delivery meeting the head of Scrappy as he rose like a Salmon to head home at the back stick.

Dunston took the lead on 25 mins through Sado Djalo. The in-form striker calmly powering home his spot kick for a handball in the box.

Thear further extended Dunston’s lead 35 minutes, a bobbly shot finding its way past Ed Hall’s near post, as the winger showed his pace to glide past the Stocksbridge defence.

Despite Dunston seemingly controlling the game, with Thear looking particularly threatening, Stocksbridge managed to pull one back just on the stroke of half time. A long throw from trench was cleared only as far as Nat Crofts who lashed his volley off the bar and in.

The second half lacked the excitement of the first, with the game going off the boil. With the score-line poised still poised at 3-2, there was always a threat that Stocksbridge could take a point.

Stocksbridge increased their pressure. However Connell in the Dunston goal was in no mood to allow the three points to slip, pulling off two fine saves, once from a Sam Scrivens header, the debutant finding himself free following a delightful ball from Goodwin, and then denying an Alex O’Connor effort from the edge of the box.

 A nervy final period of the game, with some dubious challenges flying in from Stocksbridge, made for a nail biting finish. Substitute Lee Mason ensured the win for Dunston, majestically finishing a fine flowing move.

Dunston UTS FC Man of the match voted for by Today's match-day Sponsors "in Memory of Mark Richards".

Awarded to: Liam Thear

Liam Thear is kindly sponsored by

Home shirt - Paul King  - Heating Components & Equipment Ltd

Away shirt - Caleb and Isabella Whalen

3rd shirt - Dunston UTS FC Supporters Club

Training kit - Up the Street Micro Pub.