ANOTHER Jekyll and Hyde performance from Alnwick Town saw them slump to their fourth defeat of the season.

The St James' Park side should have come away from Durham with all three points after a dominant first-half performance. But they were left with nothing as Murton snatched maximum points with two goals in the game's final 10 minutes – with a last-gasp winner coming in the 90th minute.

Albert Straughan's men could not have started the game any better and took the lead after just five minutes. Ben Keenan beat two men inside the box before getting to the byline and squaring the ball into the path of Tom Vickers, who easily finished from six-yards.

Alnwick dominated the first period and could have scored four or five as they tore the Murton back four to pieces – Keenan in particular was looking dangerous, and on another day could have had a hat-trick.

At the other end, Town's defensive quartet were comfortable and never looked under threat as they stopped any Murton attack.

It was 1-0 going into half-time, but with a slender lead the game was still in the balance. And so it was to prove.

Murton started the better in the opening exchanges and had their best spell of pressure with a couple of shots that went over the bar or wide of the post.

Alnwick had a strong claim for a penalty on the hour when Vickers was up-ended in the box, but the referee waved play on to the dismay of the Alnwick forward.

Town's Kevin Elliot then tested the keeper from 25-yards but the Murton keeper superbly saved the powerful shot, pushing it wide for a corner.

But Murton equalised on 80 minutes. With 10 minutes to go, the ball found its way to the edge of the box and the Murton forward, who still had a bit to do, slotted it wide of keeper Brooks and into the bottom corner of the net.

Alnwick pressed forward for the winner. Danny Lowes out-paced the Murton defence and, with just the keeper to beat, the defender shot wide and into the side-netting.

On 85 minutes, after a scramble in the Murton penalty area, the ball fell to Elliot, who hit a first time shot from 10-yards which was unbelievably tipped on to the post by the keeper.

Alnwick were dealt the sucker punch on 90 minutes. As a ball was played down the flank, Neil Catlow mistimed his kick and the Murton winger squared the ball across the six-yard box for an easy tap-in which clinched the win for the hosts.

Alnwick will have to take their chances in front of goal if they are to climb up the table, but all credit to Murton who fought to the end for their three points.

Alnwick Town from: B Brooks, D Lowes, B Murray, G Patterson, N Catlow, T Brown, J Lang, K Elliot, M Cockburn, T Vickers, B Keenan, R Brown, S Rutter, J Colly.