After back-to-back defeats, Dunston returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win against Brighouse Town at Belle View Stadium. Manager Jon McDonald praised his sides' performance following the game.

"I thought we played really well today. We created so many chances yet, in the dugouts, we were thinking it was not going to be our day. To a man, the lads were brilliant. 

"We scored three goals today, but I think we created enough chances to score five or six. It's just about getting three points on the board and we've done that." He said. 

Three second half goals from Dale Pearson, Jack Maskell, and David Robinson saw Dunston victorious and respond brilliantly after Tuesday's 4-0 defeat at Hebburn Town.

There were a couple of changes to the side that fell short on Tuesday night. Jude Swailes missed out after picking up an injury in that game. Chris McDonald also missed out through a minor injury. JJ Chrisp and Sado Djalo returned to the starting line-up with youngster Dom Pegram earning a place among the substitutes.

Dunston began the game looking the more threatening of the two sides. Jack Maskell came close on five minutes as his blocked shot came back to him, but his second effort on the rebound was held by Hassall. Dale Pearson then tried his luck with an audacious chip which sailed over the crossbar.

Despite being largely on the back foot, the visitors had a big chance on 25 minutes as Jack Normanton was picked out inside the area, but his shot was wide of the target.

Dunston continued to search for that crucial opening goal and came close on 28 minutes with the biggest chance of the game. David Robinson beat multiple players down the right before pulling the ball back for Maskell, but he failed to convert from close range. A big let-off for Town.

The final big chance of the half fell to Robinson as he struck a powerful effort goalward from distance however, Jamie Hassall produced a good save to deny him and keep the score deadlocked.

Dunston began the second half with the same intensity as Dale Pearson got an early shot away which whistled past the post. Robinson also came close as his shot was blocked and went out for a corner.

Just after the hour-mark, another golden chance went begging. Dacre produced a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Robinson. From the resulting corner, Phil Turnbull picked out Michael Pearson at the back post, but the shot on goal from the skipper was straight at Hassall.

The breakthrough finally came in the 68th minute as Jack Maskell bagged his 18th goal of the season. Michael Pearson picked out Robinson with a long ball down the right-hand side. Robinson held off a couple of challenges before playing the ball across the goal where Maskell was lurking to tap home from close range.

After all the hard work, the lead lasted just a matter of minutes as second-half substitute Mohammad Qasim pulled Brighouse level in the 73rd minute. It was some excellent build-up play by the visitors and Qasim finished well into the bottom corner.

Despite the setback, there was a big reaction from Dunston and Dale Pearson came close to firing his side back into the lead when he forced Hassall into a smart save after his powerful effort looked destined for the back of the net.

Pearson was not to be denied again as he finished off an excellent move to restore Dunston's lead in the 83rd minute. Jordan Lamb looked sharp after coming on in the second half and he burst down the left-hand side, skipped past Darius Smith, and played the ball into the area for Pearson who made no mistake with his first-time shot.

Dunston could finally relax six minutes later as David Robinson wrapped up the three points as he netted his 12th goal of the season. Richard Coulson showed tremendous vision as he dinked a ball through to Robinson who beat the offside trap and delicately lifted the ball over Hassall to give Dunston a two-goal cushion.

Into stoppage time, 17-year-old Dom Pegram came on for his debut replacing Richard Coulson. One final chance came as the ball was pulled back for Pearson inside the area, but he couldn't keep his effort down.

Dunston return to winning ways and make the short journey to Newton Aycliffe on Easter Monday next.

Report by Callum Pattison

Image Credit - Beauty Time Photography