By Andrew McDonnell (@AndrewSJourno)

Liam Henderson and Joseph Walton’s second-half strikes gave Morpeth Town a valuable three points against 10-man Newcastle Benfield at Craik Park.

Lewis Scorgie headed off his own bar and Walton hit the post and crossbar before the visitors took the lead through Scott McCarthy.

Mark Davison headed the hosts level 10 minutes before half-time and Walton hit the woodwork once more after the restart – heading onto the post.

Andrew Grainger was sent off for a second bookable offence for a foul on Henderson just after the hour mark.

Morpeth made the extra man count as Henderson slotted into the bottom corner and Walton fired home in the space of five minutes.

The Highwaymen could have had more during a dominant second-half, but now move onto next week’s top-of-the-table clash with Shildon next Saturday.

 

Nick Gray and Dave Malone’s side came into the game having beat Whitley Bay last Saturday, and almost went ahead inside the early stages of the game.

Ben Sayer played in a delightful free-kick, and Benfield defender Scorgie headed the ball ahead of the oncoming Grainger and off the top of the crossbar.

Paul Brayson struck a free-kick inches wide before Henderson forced Benfield’s ‘keeper into a brilliant reaction save from close range.

Grainger spilled James Novak’s cross into the path of the forward, but redeemed himself when he denied the Morpeth man.

Walton was denied by Grainger, who made another stop, before the wide man was denied by the foot of the post a minute later.

The hosts’ tails were up and were denied by the woodwork once again when Walton headed onto the crossbar at the back post.

However, the visitors took the lead against the run of play seven minutes later when McCarthy headed John Campbell’s low cross into the bottom corner.

Morpeth rallied and found an equaliser soon after when Davison headed Sayer’s pin-point cross brilliantly into the roof of the net.

The Highwaymen were inches away from taking the lead 10 minutes after half-time when Davison’s header was saved well by Grainger’s legs before Walton headed the rebound off the post.

Stephen Tobin almost turned Sean Taylor’s cross into his own net, but the visitors were reduced to 10-men on 63 minutes.

Henderson broke through on goal and knocked the ball past the oncoming Grainger, who had already been booked, and the ‘keeper was sent off after picking up a second booking.

Benfield put Campbell in goal, and Morpeth took the lead for the first time in the game six minutes later.

Taylor slotted the ball through to Henderson, who latched onto the ball and caught Benfield’s stand-in ‘keeper out by firing the ball into the bottom corner.

Walton came close to doubling Morpeth’s lead, but was denied by Campbell, who saved well with his legs.

The hosts won the ball back moments later, and Walton found himself in acres of space, in on goal, and made no mistake with the finish – slotting into the bottom corner.

Morpeth continued to search for more goals and went close on a couple of occasions in the closing stages before the game came to a close.

The Highwaymen have now won 13 of their 14 home games this season and travel to Dean Street next weekend to take the reigning league champions Shildon.

Morpeth Town: Dryden, Forster, Novak, Sayer, Grieve, Turner, Taylor, Walton (Anderson, 80), Davison (Morris, 70), Henderson (Chilton, 80), Fry

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Doninger

Newcastle Benfield: Grainger, Cornish, McEvoy, McNamee, Tobin, Scorgie (Esdaille, 78), Dummett, Berhan, Brayson, Campbell, McCarthy (Fisher, 41)

Subs Not Used: Convery

Goals: 0-1, 28 min, McCarthy; 1-1, 35 min, Davison; 2-1, 69 min, Henderson; 3-1, 74 min, Walton

Referee: Christopher Ellis

Assistants:  Kevin McKitterick and James Lowery