Dunston dropped out of the playoff places following a disappointing second half display at Lincoln United.

Despite Dale Pearson opening the scoring for Dunston early on, Lincoln responded in the second half, and goals from Matthew Cotton and Evan Payne turned the tie on it’s head and  were enough to give the home side a vital three points. 

Following impressive showings against Sheffield, Spennymoor and Stockon, Dunston came into the game full of confidence and they were ahead on 4 minutes when Dale Pearson grabbed his second goal in as many games, smashing a rebound into the roof of the net after a cross had only been parried out to the forward. 

In a flying start, Dunston came close to doubling the lead on 14 minutes when a corner was blocked on the line. 

Carl Finnigan was the next to come close for a Dunston. After good work from Jack Elliott down the flank, his cross found Finnigan who forced Jack Steggles to make a big save.

Dunston’s dominance was showing but a sense of frustration was growing with Lincoln standing firm and the scoreboard still reading 1-0.

And that frustration grew further as Dunston were awarded a penalty just before half-time. Terry Galbraithstepped up but a fine save from Steggles meant his side went in with a fighting chance of getting back in the game. 

And so they did on 52 minutes. After Tayo Alexander-Tucker had hit the side netting on 50 minutes after being played through by Cotton, the latter levelled the game just two minutes later after he was able to latch onto a long ball over the Dunston defence.

And on 64 minutes Lincoln had the lead, compounding a poor start to the second half by Dunston. This time, Payne rose highest from a corner to plant a header home past James Anderson. 

Dunston’s endeavour continued and good work from Liam Thear saw the wide man whip in a teasing cross with 20 minutes to play, but there was no one there to put a finish on it. 

The final 15 minutes saw plenty of huff and puff, but Lincoln’s defence held resolute to grind out a valuable three points, and compound Dunston to defeat at Ashby Avenue. 

The result sees Dunston drop out of the play off positions, with all eyes now on next weekend’s fixture away at Brighouse Town as the team look to respond.