WHILE having the greater possession and chances Alnwick's lack of killer instinct cost them in this tight game.

Early on, a Dan Thompson header was cleared off the line and Gareth McCann rattled the outside of the post with the follow-up.

In defence, David Mitchell was quick off his lines twice to smother at the feet of Bedlington forwards but gradually the Alnwick midfield started to boss the game and create the clearer chances.

Nick Furtak failed to convert a one-on-one, Ross Morton shot just wide with the keeper beaten and then tested the keeper soon after following quick thinking from McCann. The half ended with a Furtak header just over and another Morton shot just missing the target.

In the opening minute of the second half, Bedlington registered their first meaningful attack and a miscued shot fell kindly for a second forward to fire in from just inside the box.

Alnwick bounced straight back and Ross Morton and Ross Stanton combined well to set up Rory Wood but the visiting keeper saved well.

Wood then blasted another half-chance wide and Stanton was twice denied by good defensive blocks as Alnwick looked to get back on level terms.

The Bedlington keeper did well to push a Stanton lob over the bar and from the resulting corner Tom Convery had his shot blocked.

Bedlington eventually managed to get a little more possession and Andrew Jack and Tom Convery both had to make good blocks to keep them out.

The decisive second goal came with just five minutes left and was unfortunate to say the least. A free-kick lofted into the box was deflected past Mitchell while the offside flag was raised. But the referee allowed the goal to stand thinking it had been scored direct from the free-kick.

Alnwick: D Mitchell, J Weddell, A Jack, R Straughan, T Convery, N Bourne, R Morton, G McCann, D Thompson, N Furtak, R Stanton, RWood, A Baillie, A Kirkup.