Dunston suffered their first league defeat since August, after falling to a 1-0 defeat at Grimsby Borough.

Edwin Essel’s 70th minute tap-in was enough to ensure the three points for the hosts, as Dunston drop to seventh position in the Northern Premier League East Division.

Dunston began the match looking the more threatening of the two sides as they came close to netting an opener after just six minutes. Jack Elliott burst down the left, before pulling the ball back to Richard Coulson, whose powerful effort was parried away by Higton in the Grimsby net.

Liam Thear was next to come close for visitors as he swivelled in the box, turned his man, and laced the ball just over the crossbar from 12 yards out.

With six minutes to go in the first half, Dunston were awarded a dubious penalty, as Sado Djalo went down in the box under a 50/50 challenge. 

Terry Galbraith, who has netted multiple penalties already this season, stepped up. Unfortunately for Dunston, the penalty cannoned off the post. The rebound bounced awkwardly, and Galbraith couldn’t connect properly second time around.

Dunston continued to look the more dangerous of the two sides in the early stages of the second half. A looping cross from the right-hand side found Djalo, however his header was always going over the bar.

Grimsby Borough reacted exceptionally well as Debnam cut inside, and sent an effort over the bar to give Dunston something to think about.

There was a welcome return for Dunston as Craig Baxter took to the field after 67 minutes replacing Sado Djalo. The experienced defender was making his first appearance since September 3rd, where he picked up an injury against City of Liverpool.

Despite this, the hosts took the lead two minutes later. A low cross from the left found Essel, who had a simple finish from close-range.

Borough continued to put Dunston on the back-foot, and Dan Staples was made to make his first save on 78 minutes. The Dunston shot-stopper got down quickly to deny a low shot to his left.

In the final ten minutes, the home side managed the game well as they remained organised, and limited Dunston to just one final effort. Elliott pulled the ball back to Michael Pearson, but unfortunately his effort was deflected, making it an easy save for Higton.

Next up for Dunston, we host Chester-le-Street Town on Tuesday evening in the Durham Challenge Cup with a 7:30pm kick-off.

Today’s Great North Eastern Brewery Man of the Match goes to the captain, Craig Scott. Craig’s home shirt sponsored by Dave Bolden and away shirt sponsored by Dorothy Burnell.

Photography | Beauty Time Photography - Kelvin Shell