Newton Aycliffe FC v Billingham Town

By Paul McGearyNewton Aycliffe maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, but slipped a place in the table on goal difference as two defensive lapses almost allowed Billingham a share of the spoils.Goals from Josh Gray and Ben Wood either side of the interval had the Newtonians in charge, but experienced forward Micky Dunwell was allowed space and time in the box to halve the deficit.Allan Oliver's marches looked to have given themselves breathing space when Elliot Gardner superbly curled a left-footed effort into the roof of the net with three minutes remaining, but just 30-seconds later, substitute Craig Norman stabbed home at the back stick to set up a nail-biting finish.Oliver opted to use Gray as a centre-forward, with Dan Mellanby stepping down and Stuart Owen returning to the starting eleven in his more familiar left-wing role. Mark Peck was a late withdrawal as John Close was called up from the bench with 15 minutes to kick-off.Aycliffe were slow to start and almost fell behind after just 45 seconds when Jamie Owens' flicked header looped onto Andrew Spence's crossbar before Darren Craddock cleared for a corner.The Newtonians grew into their stride as the game progressed and forced opposition 'keeper James Briggs into two smart stops after half an hour. First skipper Sean Tarling stung the stopper's palms with a rasping shot from 18 yards then Owen's low shot was deflected wide off Briggs' legs.Aycliffe broke the deadlock as half time loomed. Wood strode forward from half-way with the ball but found Briggs equal to his low effort. As the ball broke clear, Gray was on hand to coolly tuck home the opener.Gardner saw his shot tipped wide by Briggs at the start of the second period but after 53 minutes Aycliffe doubled their advantage. Gray beat his man on the right-hand edge of the area before delivering a pin-point cross to the back-post for Wood to leap unmarked and nod home.In control and cruising, Aycliffe allowed their opponents back into the game on the hour mark. A left-wing centre wasn't dealt with properly, and skipper Alan Cossavella nodded down to Dunwell who picked his spot low under Spence.Craig Perry struck the upright for Town as they sought an equaliser while Dunwell found Spence at his best as the 25-year-old saved his shot low at the near post.With time running out Aycliffe stretched their lead. Fred Woodhouse carried the ball down the left before passing to Wood who found Mellanby. Mellanby's cute lobbed ball to the back post found Gardner who controlled the ball before stepping inside his man and superbly executing a curled shot into the top corner with his unfavoured left foot.That should have been game over but straight from the restart Town caught the hosts cold and Nicky Martin's low cross from the left evaded everyone as it flashed across goal and found Norman on cue to stab home at the back post from five yards.With the visitors sensing an opportunity to steal a point, Aycliffe once more broke and Gardner almost hit his second but saw his fine right-footed curling effort strike the far upright. As the rebound fell to Mellanby, the former Darlington man shot goalwards only to suffer the same fate as Gardner as the ball struck the same post before running clear to safety.Whitley Bay's 4-0 crushing of Marske saw them leapfrog the Newtonians into second spot but Oliver's Army remain unbeaten, with maximum points taken at home. Monday's derby with Bishop Auckland will prove to be as equally a contested battle, with Bishops securing an eye-opening 3-1 victory at Norton the night previous.Star ManElliot Gardner - busy!