By Paul McGeary
Allan Oliver stresses an importance in his programme notes urging his side to maximise their collection of points on home soil.
However, after his sides fifth away win of the season - their second in quick succession - he may well be asking for a paragraph in his opponentÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s matchday publication, stressing the need for his team to continue their form on the road which has bore 16 points from a possible 21.
A much-changed Aycliffe side took to the field, with new boy Chris Beckett - signed 24-hours previous from West Auckland Town - lining up at centre-half in place of Sean Davies, with Brian Fairhurst moved to right-back to deputise for the injured Dan Mitton - the first time Aycliffe's Player of the Year has failed to start a game this term.
Elliot Gardner lined up in an unfamiliar central midfield role while Warren Byrne returned up front alongside the impressive Craig Mickle, making his third start for the club since signing from Whitehill just last month.
Marske topped the form table going in to the game, with just one defeat in their last six league games, a run of results which has seen their elevated rise to fifth in the table from the lower echelons they resided in after some poor early season displays.
The home side almost took the lead after just four minutes, with Lewis Wood carving through the Newtonians defence but the striker's shot was screwed weakly wide of Scott Pocklington's left-hand upright.
13 minutes later and Aycliffe got another warning when top scorer Danny Brunskill turned well on the edge of the area to send another shot narrowly wide of Pocklington's goal.
Aycliffe were getting some joy down their opponents left with Mickle, Fred Woodhouse and Anth Campbell linking well with some strong penetrative running and menacing wing play. It was from a Campbell through-ball into the left channel that Aycliffe got their first real opportunity - and goal - of the evening.
Byrne picked the ball up and with 'keeper Dan Dixon struggling to narrow the angle, defender Mark Taylor unfairly hauled Aycliffe's top scorer back in the area. Byrne picked himself up and despatched the penalty past Dixon for his 10th of the season, in just 12 outings.
Four minutes later and the move of the game almost brought with it the second goal. Woodhouse sent Byrne free who in turn passed to strike partner Mickle just inside the area. Mickle twisted and turned Andy Raw inside-out before firing low across goal, with Dixon only able to parry the ball free.
Paul Broom struck the bar 60-seconds later, when sent through by skipper Sean Tarling as Aycliffe looked for the second goal to make Oliver's half-time team-talk all that more easier.
The second goal did arrive, two minutes into added-on time at the end of the first period. Byrne's elegant lob sent Woodhouse free down the left once more and with the ex-Stockton man biding his time in anticipation of support, he craftily picked out Broom's run at the back post, with the 21-year-old slotting home his second goal in as many games.
The second half was more of a keep-ball exercise for the visitors, with very little showings on goal from either side, although the points never looked like they were going to stay at the GER Stadium. Wood headed wide when well placed on 62 minutes whilst Mickle perhaps should have done better with Dixon off his line at the other end.
Aycliffe replaced Guisborough at the top of the league for the first time since their 4-0 victory at Thornaby on August 14th, but the Priorymen get a chance to leapfrog the Newtonians tomorrow when they host Northallerton Town, but Oliver will tonight sleep all that bit happier knowing his side appear to have gotten over their sticky September form and breathed fresh life into their campaign.
Next up for the league leaders, is the visit of fourth placed Whitehaven, who will be looking to do better than their 2-0 reverse the last time they travelled across the A66 to Moore Lane Park.
NEWTON AYCLIFFE v Whitehaven, Saturday 9 October, 3pm
Star Man - Sean Tarling
Every player could get a mention, and perhaps should, but in particular, Gardner was fantastic in midfield, Peck - again - a rock at the back. Mickle once more impressed without getting on the score sheet but the stand-out player was skipper Tarling, who once more did everything right and controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish.

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