Dunston made it seven points out of nine after a 3-1 victory away at Stocksbridge Park Steels.

A superb second half performance featuring goals from Michael Pearson, Jack Walker and Scott Robson saw Dunston pick up a valuable three points on the road.

Jon McDonald made just one change from Wednesday night’s 3-0 FA Cup replay against Whickham. Aaron Steavens started in goal replacing Dan Lowson, who missed out through illness. The outfield ten remained the same.

Dunston began the game in bright fashion as Jude Swailes nodded the ball wide of the post from a corner after two minutes.

A golden chance then presented itself to Dale Pearson on four minutes when the forward beat the offside trap but placed his effort narrowly wide after going one-on-one with Garman.

The Stocksbridge’ keeper was called into action again two minutes later when he palmed away a stinging effort from David Robinson. The resulting corner was once again met by the head of Jude Swailes, but again it was wide of the target.

The Steels managed to weather the early storm from Dunston and began to carve out opportunities of their own. On 12 minutes, midfielder Alex O’Conner curled a long range effort off the crossbar.

With Stocksbridge beginning to get on top, they were awarded a penalty on 35 minutes when Aaron Steavens was adjudged to bring down Hardwick inside the area. The Stocksbridge number nine stepped up and smashed the ball into the top right corner, despite Steavens getting a fingertip to it.

Aaron Steavens then produced two crucial saves right before half-time to keep the score at 1-0. The Dunston shotstopper denied Joao Silva from close range before palming away a vicious strike from Hardwick.

Dunston came out looking like a totally different team in the second half. Dale Pearson was first to chance his luck as he attempted a half-volley which dropped wide.

On 53 minutes, Dunston found the equaliser as Michael Pearson bagged his second goal of the season. A bizarre goal as a Stocksbridge man attempted to clear the ball but inadvertently kicked the ball off Pearson’s leg and it looped over Garman and into the back of the net.

Four minutes later, the turnaround was complete as Jack Walker scored his second goal for the club in sensational fashion. The ball dropped to the centre half inside the area and he took a touch and fired it off the underside of the bar and in.

Scott Robson returned from suspension and was named on the bench. The former Whickham man was introduced with just over 15 minutes to go and looked lively.

In the 82nd minute, the centre forward had a go on the volley, however his effort was deflected and fell straight into the arms of Garman.

JJ Chrisp also came on from the bench and came close in the 88th minute as he unleashed a powerful strike from distance which was clawed away by Garman.

In the 89th minute, the three points were sealed as Scott Robson notched his first competitive goal for the club. A ball over the top found Robson who looped a header over the onrushing ‘keeper securing the three points for Dunston.

Next up is another league fixture as we host Ashington on Bank Holiday Monday.

Report by Callum Pattison 

Image Credit - Beauty Time Photography