Dunston were forced to settle for a draw against Bridlington Town in a frustrating affair at the UTS Stadium.

 Despite Will Jenkins putting Dunston ahead on just three minutes, the hosts failed to capitalise on an array of chances throughout the match and received a sucker-punch blow late in the game when Joe Norton equalised for the away side to give his side a share of the spoils.

 Dunston had welcomed back Sadó Djaló to the starting line up, with Chris Swailes’ side looking to continue their fine league form and make it 8 games unbeaten. The visitors Bridlington had come off the back of two drubbings in recent weeks and were desperate to get a more positive result this time around.

 Dunston had the lead with just three minutes on the clock, and it was October’s Player of the Month Will Jenkins on the scoresheet again. The South-Shields loanee controlled a long looping ball brilliantly, and although his original effort was saved by goalkeeper James Hitchcock, the midfielder looped his rebound into the net despite the best efforts of the Seasiders backline to keep the ball out.

 In a relatively uneventful first half in a wet, blustery day in Dunston, it was Will Jenkins again who was causing the issues for Bridlington’s defence. After Richard Coulson had seen a shot tipped over, Jenkins fired over from a low corner as Dunston looked to assert their dominance.

 As the half ebbed on, Bridlington almost got back level when Jack Griffin curled wide from range, before Dunston had a glorious chance to double their lead. Jack Elliott burst down the left flank and his floated cross was controlled elegantly by Jenkins who rounded the goalkeeper only for his effort to be blocked on the line. It was becoming a frustrating afternoon for Dunston as Bridlington continued to stand firm and stop the hosts getting further ahead

 Dunston came out in the second half with similar purpose and had the best of the opening chances. Elliott fired over a curled effort whilst Jenkins shot just wide from a tight angle.

 Whilst Bridlington huffed and puffed, they rarely threatened James Anderson properly. Dunston, however, were struggling to score down the other end to find that elusive second goal that would almost certainly have killed the game off.

 Richard Coulson so nearly doubled the lead midway through the half. A low cross was controlled by the frontman who could only hit the far post with his effort. Terry Galbraith also came close for Dunston, only to see his towering header be cleared off the line.

 With 10 minutes to go, Dunston came agonisingly close again to doubling their lead. A delightful lofted through ball from Jenkins set Coulson away, but his effort cannoned off the far post and Elliott’s rebound was somehow blocked on its way in.

 With nerves kicking in due to only having a one goal cushions, Dunston came unstuck on 89 minutes when Bridlington equalised. A long ball wasn’t dealt with by the Dunston defence, and miscommunication allowed substitute Joe Norton to pounce, stab past Anderson and slot home to send his side home the happier.

 Plenty of endeavour from Dunston, but a frustrating day where they lacked the killer instinct. Despite this, they continue their fine 8 game league unbeaten streak, and travel to Grimsby Borough next Saturday looking to make it 9.

 Man of the match went to Craig Scott for another industrious performance at full back, leaving nothing on the pitch. Craig Scott sponsored by Dave Boldon (Home Shirt) and Dorothy Burnell (Away Shirt)