Dunston were held to a 2-2 draw away at Northern League Division One side, Seaham Red Star, in a frustrating afternoon.

The hosts took the lead early on through Brad Chisholm. A goal from Scott Robson and an own goal from Jack Halton saw Dunston take the lead at the half-time break.

In the final second of the game, Seaham pulled level when Dan Lowson punched the ball into his own net.

Dunston named a strong starting line-up with club captain Michael Pearson making his first appearance of pre-season. Phil Turnbull and David Robinson joined him in midfield with Dale Pearson, Josh Gilchrist, and Scott Robson as the front three.

With Dunston slow to get out the traps, Red Star took full advantage as they broke the deadlock with just six minutes played. A ball over the top of the defence found Brad Chisholm, and the Seaham number 9 finished excellently dinking the ball over Steavens and into the back of the net.

Dale Pearson took Dunston’s first shot of the game just before the quarter-hour mark as he rifled the ball over the crossbar on the half-volley from the edge of the box.

On 17 minutes, it was another great opportunity to pull level when a Turnbull corner found the unmarked Jude Swailes however, he powered his header over the crossbar.

Seaham were afforded another golden opportunity with 28 minutes played when Chisholm almost doubled his tally for the afternoon. He shrugged off a challenge from Jack Walker before missing the target when one-on-one with Aaron Steavens.

A crucial moment came on 34 minutes when Dunston managed to pull level. There was some head tennis in the middle of the park and the ball fell to the feet of Scott Robson after a powerful header from Jude Swailes. The Dunston forward beat his man before taking the ball around Halton and passing the ball into the empty net.

With just a minute to go in the first half, Dunston turned the game around and grabbed a second goal in fortunate circumstances. Craig Baxter bombed down the right and whipped the ball into the box only for Halton to spill the ball into his own net.

Jon McDonald made four changes at half-time as Dan Lowson, JJ Chrisp, Sado Djalo, and Dan Turner were all introduced for the second 45.

With both sides having fresh legs on the pitch, the hosts came close to drawing level seven minutes into the half when the number 11 dragged a low shot narrowly wide of the post.

On 65 minutes, it was another glorious chance for Dunston this time. Scott Robson looked a threat all game and he took the ball on the turn before drilling the post. The rebound fell to Djalo, but he was denied by an excellent diving block.

Djalo came close again with 74 minutes played when Dan Turner crossed a precise delivery into the box and the leaping Djalo had his header palmed away by Halton. A few minutes later, Dan Lowson was called into action for the first time as he parried away an effort from close range to keep Dunston ahead.

The sole trialist in the Dunston squad was brought on in the second half in place of David Robinson. He almost capped off his cameo with a goal in the 82nd minute. Scott Robson took the ball forwards and teed up the trialist however, once again the post came to the hosts rescue.

With time running out in the final five minutes, Seaham began to look the most likely to find the next goal. A glancing header from a substitute flashed past the face of goal and then Swailes had to produce a good challenge to prevent a certain goal just a couple of minutes later.

In the final minute of added on time, Seaham won a corner which resulted in the equaliser. The ball was whipped into the box and Lowson was unable to deal with it as he punched the ball into his own net.

The pre-season fixtures for Dunston continue on Tuesday evening as we face an away game at North Shields.

Report by Callum Pattison 

Image Credit - Beauty Time Photography