A Sam Hodgson brace secured three points for Morpeth Town in a 2-1 win over Ilkeston Town at Craik Park in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.
The striker, netting his ninth and 10th goals of the campaign to date, did the damage for the hosts, sending them two clear just after the hour mark, with the visitors reducing the deficit on 79 minutes through Zak Goodson.
The home side enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half but wouldn’t take the lead until the 28th minute when Jack Foalle strode clear down the right before standing up a cross for Hodgson to nod across the keeper and into the back of the net.
Andrew Johnson then struck the inside of the post as Morpeth threatened a second but Ilkeston, who had struggled to create going forward, would go in just a single goal behind.
The second half was played in the same vein, with the Highwaymen creating more opportunities but only taking one when Hodgson drilled his penalty into the bottom corner despite Matt Yates getting a hand on it, and the referee had spotted a handball in the penalty area.
Ilkeston reduced the deficit on 79 minutes through Goodson, slotting home after Morpeth failed to deal with a ball into the box, a goal that set up a tense finale in Northumberland.
The visitors should have equalised moments later but an initial shot struck the foot of the post, with a follow up header, finding the back of the net, correctly ruled out for offside.
Despite a few nervy moments, Morpeth stayed strong to claim the win and move themselves to within two points of the play-off positions. The Highwaymen are next in action when they travel to Hyde United next Saturday.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Reid, Jenkins, Henderson (C), Turner, Foalle, Noble, Hodgson, Donaldson (Barlow 68’), Johnson (Steels 69’).
SUBS: Wombwell, Boyd, Griggs.
ILKESTON TOWN: Yates, King, Parker, Minkley (Brandy 52’), Perch (C), Cox, Waite, Marshall (Dixon 52’), Walker, Erratt-Thompson, Goodson.
SUBS: K.Erratt-Thompson, Loughlan, A.Marshall.
ATT: 537
