West Auckland welcome the return of 4 players following Saturday's win against Ashington.
Danny Richmond has served his suspension for 5 yellow cards although will have another one game ban on Saturday for his red card against West Allotment Celtic.
Jonathan Milroy bolsters the forward line whilst Danny Robinson (work commitments) and Stuart Owen (unavailability) come into contention.
Not available
WEST AUCKLAND 0-1 CONSETT
Wed 26 Sept, 7:30PM, LeagueMatch Sponsor: D Gilbey Agricultural
A draw was a fair result however a solitary second half goal by Gary Ormston gave Consett the points in a game of few clear cut chances where both sides battled well and cancelled each other out. Mattie Moffat returned to face his old team mates for the first time and was denied by firstly a fingertip save by Mark Bell, the the side netting.
West started marginally brighter but were unable to take the lead in the 7th minute when Jamie Middleton could only force the ball back across goal under pressure from a corner, with the danger subsequently cleared.
Mattie Moffat then raced in behind the defence only to be brilliantly denied by a fingertip save by mark Bell to push the ball just over the bar. Danny Richmond has penalty claims turned down after going in for a challenge on the keeper in the 17th minute before, a minute later, Ian Maddison lobbed the ball just too high and cleared the bar.
Kevin Bromley had to be replaced with a thigh injury in the 28th minute and West could have overcome this upset immediately when Garry Barnes outclassed two defenders and fired in a low shot that was held by Andrew Colling.
Consett then had a period of pressure starting with a free kick, put wide by Jonjo Dickman in the 34th minute. Mattie Moffat missed a glorious chance 4 minutes later when a right wing cross found the number 10 who turned the ball back to Moffat, but the forward blazed his shot high and wide from the edge of the box.
West Auckland responded with their own pressure - Garry Barnes' low 35 yard shot was easily held (42) before Jamie Middleton surprisingly failed to hit the target coming onto a Brian Fairhurst free kick from 10 yards, he raised above the defender but put his header narrowly over the bar. In injury time, Garry Barnes's powerful shot was well held after Ian Maddison had done well to win the ball back.
The second half began slowly - Jonathan Milroy could not quite get a shot away in the 60th minute whilst Stuart Owen's cross was just too high for Garry Barnes as both sides struggled to create an opening.
But it was Consett's first effort of the half on target that decided the game when Gary Ormston headed in the winner. West hit back immediately but Garry Barnes miss hit the ball well over the bar from Jamie Middleton's cross field ball.
A Jonjo Dickman free kick was on target 10 minutes from time and although it took a nasty bounce off the pitch Mark Bell did well to hold onto the ball. Lee Ellison pulled an effort wide as did the Consett left winger at the other end before late drama as the match entered injury time.
A routine cross saw a mix up and despite the ball coming loose, West were unable to take advantage. The quick clearance found Mattie Moffat and he beat Mark Bell to the loose ball outside of the area but with an open goal rolled the ball into the side netting. Then with 20 seconds left, West Auckland should have grabbed a point with the ball finding the unmarked Garry Barnes who 12 yards from goal sliced the ball across the face and wide.
1. Mark Bell, 2. Danny Richmond, 3. Brian Fairhurst, 4. James Middleton, 5. Scott Nicholson, 6. Michael Waller, 7. Danny Key, 8. Ian Maddison (12. Danny Robinson 65 mins), 9. Garry Barnes, 10. Jonathan Milroy (14. Lee Ellison 75 mins), 11. Kevin Bromley (16. Stuart Owen 28 mins)
Subs Not Used: 15. Bradley Woods, 17. Lee Hutton