It was a second consecutive defeat for Dunston as we were beaten 2-1 away at Pontefract in what was frustrating evening in West Yorkshire.

Adam Priestley put the hosts ahead after 18 minutes. The lead was doubled after 67 minutes as Cody Cromack was left with a simple finish.

Dunston finished the game strongly and scored a late consolation goal in injury time through Michael Fowler but ultimately it was just too late.

There was a welcome return to the starting line-up as January’s Player of the Month Carl Finnigan was named upfront after missing the previous game. Jon Shaw also returned to the bench after not featuring since January 2nd.

Dunston were slow out of the traps as the hosts almost took the lead after five minutes. Pontefract right-back Jack Greenhough fired a long-distance shot just over the crossbar.

Ponte continued to cause problems and Craig Scott had to be at his best on 14 minutes to deny Allott with a fantastic block.  From the resulting corner, Richard Coulson cleared an effort off the line to keep the score level.

After soaking up the pressure, Dunston were undone on 18 minutes. From a set piece, the ball was bundled over the line from close-range by Adam Priestly. It had been coming after what had been a slow start from Dunston.

Dunston began to settle as the half progressed and had a golden chance to draw level on the half-hour mark. Some tidy build-up play so Carl Finnigan back-heel the ball through to Pearson. The latter went one-on-one with Kyle Trenerry, only for the goalkeeper to make the save.

Into first half stoppage time, Michael Pearson was withdrawn through injury and replaced by Sado Djalo. Pontefract were awarded one final chance in the half as Priestley fired over from close-range almost grabbing his second.

Dunston began the second half brightly. Galbraith rose highest from a corner and had a header cleared off the line early in the half. 

Minutes later, Dunston had a stonewall penalty shout waved away as Liam Thear was brought down inside the box. Instead, Thear was booked for simulation…

Unfortunately, the job became a whole lot tougher on 67 minutes. Pontefract counterattacked well and the ball was played to Cromack who had a simple finish into an empty net.

Despite being two-goals down, Dunston continued to fight and almost pulled a goal back with five minutes to go. Finnigan shifted the ball onto his right foot and poked an effort just wide.

In stoppage time, Dunston were awarded a penalty. Michael Fowler stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to halve the deficit. Ultimately, it was too little too late as Dunston fell to a second straight defeat.

Report by Callum Pattison