Ashington suffer narrow Consett defeat to kick off Paul Dunn tenure

Ashington turned in an improved performance and took the lead against Consett on Saturday - only to come undone and fall to a 2-1 defeat after two goals in quick succession by Matty Todd.

After a week in which Paul Dunn came into the club as interim manager - with Liam Bridcutt as his assistant - following the departure of Marc Ellison by mutual agreement, there was hope that the duo could get a spark out of their newly inherited squad in a bid to get precious points on the board, with the Colliers languishing in the relegation zone.

In perfect conditions at Woodhorn Lane, there was little to choose between the two teams during the opening exchanges. Marc Costello had an effort held by home goalkeeper Matty Alexander before Donny Holdsworth headed over for Consett, while Dean Briggs nodded wide and skipper Karl Ross drove narrowly past the post for the home side.

Hope was the key word for Ashington heading into the contest, and their optimism grew even more when Jude Cogdon put his side ahead just past the half-hour mark. Awarded a free-kick 20 yards out, the midfielder curled in a superb left-footed effort which crept past Consett keeper Harry Moss and inside the far post.

The Steelmen looked to hit back swiftly as former Collier Oli Thompson went through one-on-one with only Alexander to beat, but the visiting attacker was foiled by the stopper before Todd lobbed a shot wide of the far upright.

Before the interval, Briggs struck a low volley from a Ryan Donaldson cross straight at Moss, then three minutes into the second period, Noah Cunningham wriggled through only for his effort to hit the side-netting.

For Consett, Isaac Walker curled wide before the same player and Todd had efforts repelled by Alexander.

At the other end, Cogdon had a left-footed strike held by Moss after a promising counter, then the stopper was forced to dive to his left to parry away a ranged strike from substitute Liam Henderson.

As the half wore on, Ashington sat back and although they defended well, it allowed the visitors to boss the middle of the park. Consequently, as the pressure increased, it came as no surprise when Consett equalised in the 75th minute with Todd - the outstanding player on the park - driving the ball home from 16 yards.

At that stage, Ashington - who were also running out of steam - would have gratefully taken a point, but four minutes later they went behind when Todd placed another effort beyond Alexander.

With just two minutes of the 90 remaining, the home side had an opportunity to equalise, but Henderson’s header from a Cogdon restart was off target, and the game ended in an Ashington defeat.