On Non-League Day, any neutrals or first time visitors were treated to enthralling seven goal thriller.

A see-saw encounter saw Brighouse Town gain a measure of revenge for their defeat in league at Craik Park earlier in the season. Brighouse advanced 4-3 thanks to goals from Zeph Thomas, a brace from Aaron Martin and an unfortunate own goal by Michael Turner. The Highwaymen netted through Iulian Petrache and a brace of Liam Henderson penalties.

The visitors had the first opportunity of the match when Jack Lazenby had a free kick 30 yards from goal in a central position. Dan Lowson was equal to the effort and pushed the ball away, Michael Turner cleared the danger with Jack Normanton waiting to pounce.

From the clearance, the ball reached Tom Potter who looked to weave his way through the visitng defence. Unfortunately for the Highwaymen, his effort was deflected clear.

A game that lived up to the billing as two attacking teams continued as Aaron Martin raced clear on 14 minutes but saw his angled drive kiss the bar before going out of play.

Liam Henderson responded a minute later when his fiercely struck effort from the edge of the 18yd box but it stung the palms of Matt Smith and grabbed the ball at the second attempt.

Three minutes later and the visitors took the lead, good play by Gabriel Johnson saw him give the ball to Zeph Thomas who saw his effort deflect past Dan Lowson and nestle in the bottom corner.

As the half wore on, it looked likely that the visitors would be more likely to double their tally. Aaron Martin nodded over the bar following a melee in the penalty area following a corner.

However, they hadn’t accounted for Iulian Petrache who acrobatically volleyed home before the ball was hacked clear. The assistant referee flagged that the ball had crossed the line as Morpeth drew level.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Morpeth took the lead through Liam Henderson. Petrache again got on the end of a corner but saw his effort handled on the line by Aaron Martin. To the dismay of the home crowd, Martin was only booked. Henderson kept his cool and rolled the ball home.

Straight after the interval, the visitors restored parity, Johnson again caused panic as he advanced down the left wing and his cross was cruelly put past Dan Lowson by Michael Turner.

Petrache looked the most likely source of adding to the goals and his towering header forced Smith to claw the ball away at his near post.

On 64 minutes, the visitors took the lead for the second time when Martin was able to nod home after Lowson had pushed Thomas’ initial effort away.

Morpeth hit straight back as Liam Henderson doubled his tally. The striker showed great perseverance as he was felled in the box. The striker kept his composure once again to send the ‘keeper the wrong way from the spot.

The final goal of the game arrived on 84 minutes when Thomas was afforded too much space and he headed home his second of the game to put the visitors ahead for the third and final time.

The Highwaymen pushed for what would have been a deserved equaliser as firstly Tom Potter saw a free kick clip the crossbar before going over.

There was to be one more moment of controversy as a cross from Stephen Forster looked to be deflected into the net by a Brighouse defender but the assistant referee on this occasion kept his flag down.

Morpeth are next in action on Tuesday evening when they return to league action and as they make the trip to South Yorkshire to face Sheffield F.C.

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson; Forster, Turner, Sayer (c), Petrache, J. Henderson, Taylor (Phillips 49), Hodgson (Burnicle, 67), Potter, Henderson, David Carson.
SUBS NOT USED: Danny Carson, Reid, Fry.
GOALS: Petrache (38), L. Henderson (45 pen, 69 pen).

BRIGHOUSE TOWN: Smith, Jenkinson, Wright, Lazenby (Robinson, 37) Field (c), Hurtley, Normanton (Seth, 75), Haigh, Martin, Thomas (Grant, 80), Johnson.

SUBS NOT USED: Nicholls, Gardiner.

GOALS: Thomas (18), Michael Turner OG (47), Martin (64, 84).

ATTENDANCE: 198

MAN OF THE MATCH: Liam Henderson