Dunston returned to winning ways under the lights at the UTS Stadium following a hard-thought 3-1 victory over Lincoln United.

Will Jenkins opened the scoring for Dunston, but Chris Swailes' side were pegged back when Lincoln equalised through Evan Payne before the break. Dunston reasserted their dominance in the second half, and goals from Jake Jensen and Liam Thear gave Dunston all three points.

Dunston were looking to return to winning ways having lost their last two matches and having scored just twice in three games. A number of players remained sidelined through injury, but a strong first 11 was still available.

Lincoln were having a tough campaign and were trying to move themselves away from the bottom of the table. 

The game was just five minutes old when Dunston took the lead. Richard Coulson was released down the left, and after beating his man he squared the ball to Jenkins who fired low past Jack Steggles to give the home side the lead. Another goal for the in-form South Shields man who produced another assured display in the middle of the park.

Jenkins almost had his second on 9 minutes, but this time Steggles was equal to his strike that was bound for goal, parrying away the effort. 

On 19 minutes, Lincoln had their first chance of the game full-back Callum Smith attempted to bend a shot in from range, but the shot flew wide of the post.

Dunston had further chances as the half ebbed on, with Sadó Djaló planting a header just wide and Liam Thear smashing a shot over the bar. 

On 37 minutes, the visitors equalised. A free-kick from Lincoln was swung in from out wide and Payne reached the ball first ahead of Dan Staples to head his side level. 

Dunston needed a win tonight, and began to dominate the second half. Their perseverance was rewarded on 57 minutes when a corner was headed back across the face of goal by Jude Swailes allowing Jake Jensen to tap home to restore Dunston's lead.

Steggles came to Lincoln's rescue again shortly after, first denying Djaló who was in one on one, before saving Thears rebound with his feet.

On 72 minutes, Dunston looked to have put the game to bed. Thear was in the heart of the action again, picking up the ball on the edge of the box and rifling into the top corner of the net past Steggles.

Dunston almost grabbed a fourth through Craig Baxter, but his effort on the overlap hit the side netting.

A much needed win for Dunston and plenty of heart shown after a tough few results, with all eyes now on the trip to Tadcaster Albion this Saturday.

The Great North Eastern Brewery Man of the Match went to Jude Swailes, who is sponsored by Brian Sellars and Impact Bathrooms