Dunston's rotten record against Carlton Town continued as The Millers secured a third consecutive win against Dunston at Craik Park. Dunston led twice through a Daniel Brown own goal and a Dale Pearson penalty.

However, an own goal from Jude Swailes and goals from Alex Hardwick and Nathan Watson saw The Millers walk away with all three points.

Jon McDonald made one change to the side that won 4-0 against Cleethorpes Town last week as Sado Djalo stepped into the starting line-up in place of Luke Carr. Richard Coulson was also named amongst the substitutes after being side-lined through injury.

The visitors began the game looking dangerous with their pace and had a couple of half-chances to take an early lead as Lamin Manneh and Niall Hylton both forced Dan Staples into early saves.

Dunston responded well and also came close on 10 minutes as David Robinson rifled a thunderous volley goalward only to be denied by a superb save from Felix Annan. However, just four minutes later, an error from Annan handed Dunston the lead on 14 minutes.

A low cross into the box by Dale Pearson was gathered by Annan however, he fumbled the ball into the path of Maskell and Carlton's Daniel Brown and the ball bobbled off Brown and trickled into the back of the net.

Jack Maskell continued to cause the Carlton defence problems and he almost scored his eighteenth of the season two minutes later as he flicked a glancing header towards the bottom corner, but Annan was equal to it and tipped it around the post. 

Dunston continued to dominate the ball and should have doubled the lead on 33 minutes as Dale Pearson agonisingly hit the post from inside the area after some excellent work by Sado Djalo.

Arguably against the run of play, Carlton then equalised on 44 minutes, taking advantage of some of Dunston's wasted opportunities. Jude Swailes was the unfortunate man as he headed the ball into his own net in very unfortunate circumstances. It looked as if the score would be level at half-time however, Dunston were awarded a penalty in first half stoppage time.

A shirt pull by Freeman on Jack Maskell was spotted by the referee who quickly pointed to the spot. Dale Pearson stepped up and slammed the ball past Annan to restore the lead going into the break.

Just six minutes into the second half, the referee pointed to the spot again in favour of Carlton Town as he looked to even up the game after Dunston's penalty decision in first half stoppage time. We would tell you what the penalty was for, but we don't know.

Dan Staples got a hand to Hardwick's penalty, but it just about bobbled over the line as The Millers equalised.

Hardwick was then in the thick of the action again as he blatantly elbowed Djalo in the head. He must have thought he was inside an Octagon, not on a football pitch. After a lengthy stoppage, Hardwick somehow escaped without a booking.

Dunston continued to search for a third goal and came close as Djalo fired a shot at Annan. Maskell and Robinson both also came close but failed to convert. Carlton remained a threat and almost scored a third themselves as Hylton hit the post after sneaking a shot underneath the body of Staples.

Another golden chance fell the way of Dunston with five minutes of the 90 left. After some excellent one-touch football, the ball fell to second-half substitute Luke Carr who was unable to convert from close range as his effort was saved by Annan.

Unfortunately, it was late heartbreak as Carlton scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute. Nathan Watson produced a stunning volley after Dunston failed to clear their lines.

Next up is a crucial tie away at Hebburn Town. 2nd vs 3rd at Hebburn Sports Ground. Come along and support the lads if you can!

Report by Callum Pattison

Photo Credit - Beauty Time Photography