Morpeth Town end losing run with a deserved point at Ashton United

The 34-year-old ex-Newcastle United, Birmingham City, Rangers and Rotherham United ace joined from Derry City and went into the Highwayman side that drew 1-1 with Ashton United at Craik Park last Saturday.

The amber and blacks have a huge game this weekend when they travel down to Stocksbridge Park Steels, who sit just a point and a place above them in the table, and boss Craig Lynch said the experience that Ferguson brings is ‘different class’.

Town went behind just after the half hour as keeper Dan Langley was adjudged to have fouled the inrushing Jason Gilchrist and the ref pointed to the spot.

‘Disappointing’ was Lynch’s assessment of the decision; Sean Newton made no mistake from the spot.

But Morpeth hit back soon after when JJ Hooper capitalised on a defensive error to race clear and coolly slot beyond the advancing Jordan Eastham.

“The lads’ reaction was great to come back, because when you’re down there and you’re not scoring it’s easy to turn that 1-0 into a 2-0 quickly, but we’re the ones that come on strong and got a good goal before half time,” said Lynch, who admitted he felt a bit of relief to take a point after three defeats on the bounce.

“We’ve had a couple of chances in the second half, and it’s a good point and a point in the right direction – on another day if you’re up there, you probably get three points. When you’re down there you need to keep plugging away and the good thing was, we didn’t find a way to win it but I’ve seen us lose from that position.

“It’s a good point on the board but we’ve got to build on it.”

Callum Bone had one effort blocked and another held by the keeper as he shaped to bend it in the corner with Morpeth on top after the break.

Striker Luke James ran out onto to pitch to warm-up with his colleagues ahead of the game last week as he gears up towards a return from injury, but Danny Barlow was forced off with a niggle that will pose a concern.