Picture credit: George Davidson
A late Michael Turner header ensured safe passage for Morpeth Town following a close encounter with Marske United in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.
The left-back rose highest to head home the decisive goal in a game which was full of technique but lacking in chances.
The game was fought in the middle third of the pitch, with current Northern League Player of the Season Craig Gott tussling with former winner Ben Sayer and David Carson for supremacy.
But whenever the ball made its way to the final third, the play became disjointed as both sides stood firm in the face of quality opposition.
Perhaps knowing the threat all too well, both sides covered with a familiar solidity before Turner struck with 13 minutes to go.
Sayer looped a corner in from the right on to the head of Turner, whose header into the turf looped up and over the despairing dive of Markse stopper Robert Dean and the defender at the far post.
It was a goal which would decide the fate of Markse in the FA Cup, but for Morpeth, the run continues.
Morpeth are next in action on Monday when they travel to Tadcaster Albion for an Evo-Stik East encounter.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson; Forster, Petrache, J.Henderson, Turner; Phillips (capt) (Fry 90), Sayer, Dav Carson; Burnicle (Potter 56), L.Henderson, Taylor (Hodgson 79).
SUBS: McDonald, Dan Carson.
GOALS: Michael Turner (77)
MARSKE UNITED: Dean; Brockbank (Ramsbottom 81, Hillerby 90) (O’Sullivan (Carling 71), Butterworth, May, Rowbotham, Liddle, Gott (capt), Martin, Owens, Round.
SUBS: Owen, McDonald
GOALS:
ATT: 230
