Newton Aycliffe FC v Newcastle Benfield

By Paul McGearyNewton Aycliffe remain unbeaten on the road but left Sam Smiths Park, as they did Heritage Park and Norton previously, thinking they should have had maximum points.Dale Jardine's first goal for the club got the sides level in the second half after Nicholas Kane's fortuitous opener and it was one-way traffic after that as Aycliffe sought a winner.With Mark Peck and James Oliver back in the starting line-up, Steve Gibson and Anthony Campbell stood down while Sean Tarling returned to the midfield after a two-game absence.Allan Oliver's side started the brighter and Paul Broom headed just wide after four minutes when found from the right by Jardine, who was a constant thorn in his marker's side all game.Benfield stole ahead on the midway point of the first half when the lively Johnny Mann outstripped Darren Craddock down the right and sent a teasing ball across which Andrew Spence and John Close failed to deal with allowing Kane the opportunity to score, in somewhat unorthadox fashion.Benfield could have doubled their advantage as half time approached but following a neat one-two with Michael Chilton, Brian Dodsworth stabbed wide as Spence narrowed the size of goal down.A different Aycliffe came out for the second period and after just eight minutes parity was restored.Tarling floated a free-kick to the back post where Close was positioned to head into the centre. Jardine controlled the ball and in one move swivelled and fired in off the far post to register his first goal in Newtonian colours.The same man should have scored seven minutes later after Ben Wood sent him through, but the 26-year-old striker lofted his shot too high and watched it drop the wrong side of the gaping goal with 'keeper Andrew Grainger stranded.Mark Peck headed over and Wood had a couple of sightings on goal and then in a frantic finish from the visitors, both Knox and Tarling stung Grainger's hands but couldn't find a way past the home custodian.Star ManDale Jardine - Thorn