Morpeth Town returned to winning ways in EBAC Northern League Division One, but were made to work hard for their 4-2 victory over Dunston UTS.
The Highwaymen went behind to an Oliver Leedham goal in the opening twenty minutes, but a brace from on-fire Michael Chilton turned the game on its head before the break.
UTS netted an equaliser mid-way through the second half through Scott Heslop, and hit the woodwork three times.
But a late Damen Mullen strike gave the hosts the lead once more before Mateusz Halambiec completed the scoring in injury time.
Nick Gray and Dave Malone made just one change from the side who beat Blyth Spartans last Saturday in the FA Cup, Jordan Fry replacing Ben Sayer.
And the Highwaymen looked to start with the same intensity that saw them go 3-0 to the good last Saturday, Luke Carr firing across goal in the opening seconds after good work from Fry and Paul Robinson.
At the other end, former Newcastle Benfield boss Steven Bowey went close with a long range effort.
A fine save denied Carr the opener on 10 minutes, the forward cutting in from the right wing, hitting a deflected effort on his left foot, Stefan Holden tipping the ball around the post.
Against the run of play, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 19th minute.
Sloppy play by Morpeth allowed Dunston to counter, Adam Froggatt breaking down the right before slotting a ball into the path of Leedham just to the right of the six-yard box. He cut back on to his left and shot across goal, Karl Dryden unable to keep the effort out.
It could have got worse a minute later, defender Chris Reid making a reckless challenge, the former Whitley Bay man lucky to not receive punishment for the tackle.
UTS were now creating the better of the chances, Ryan Drane’s left wing cross headed over by Bowey in the penalty area.
As if from nowhere, Town managed to create one the moves of the match to level proceedings. A 10 pass sequence of play ended with James Novak beautifully curling a cross onto the head of Chilton who guided the ball home.
Five minutes later it was that man again giving Morpeth the lead, he beat Holden to Fry’s exquisite lofted through ball, lobbing the ‘keeper to put the hosts in front.
The last action of the half saw Keith Graydon try his luck from the edge of the area, but the midfielder was unable to keep his shot down.
The visitors came on strong in the opening salvos of the second period, Dryden on hand to deny Heslop with a strong hand, his save deflecting off the bar and away from danger.
UTS rattled the woodwork again three minutes later, Drane’s cross was met by the left foot of Bowey, whose placed effort hit the post, the ball rebounding into the grateful arms of Dryden.
Morpeth’s luck wouldn’t last much longer as the 2012 FA Vase winners equalised in the 66th minute.
After failing to deal with a free-kick pumped into the box, Leedham whipped a right wing cross to the far post where Helsop looped a header of Dryden back across goal, a superb finish.
Within 60 seconds of the Morpeth kick-off, the visitors hit the woodwork for a third time. Drane and Bowey combined to play in Daniel Smith who smashed his effort off the crossbar from close range.
After that miss, Morpeth managed to pick their level of play up, the introductions of Halambiec, Sean Taylor and Liam Henderson reignited the home side.
And with nine minutes remaining, the Highwaymen restored their lead. Henderson and Mullen combining well down the right before the former picked out the latter six yards out where the former Spartan made no mistake.
If Morpeth’s first goal was an eye-catching move, their fourth was as equally as impressive.
Fry, Novak, Taylor, Halambiec, Mullen, Graydon and Henderson all manged to play a part in the move before Halambiec met Mullen’s delightful cross to nod home into an empty net, Holden misjudging the flight of the ball.
Not the most emphatic performance, but three more points on the board for Town.
Photo: Chris Chambers/ CJC Photo (Official Morpeth Town FC Photographer)
