Morpeth suffered Christmas heartbreak as they conceded in stoppage time as Scarborough pinched a point at the FlamingoLand Stadium on Monday writes Sam Donovan. 

Andrew Johnson had flicked the Highwaymen into a first half lead but that was cancelled out by Lewis Maloney in stoppage time at the end of the game who curled in a great free kick. 

The home side began the game on the front and saw more of the ball without actually threatening the goal.

That changed in the 12th minute as there was action at both ends. Lewis Maloney was the first to try his luck but saw his shot smuggled at the near post by Dan Lowson with the ball being cleared. 

It was from this clearance that allowed Jack Foalle to burst clear and he reached the ball ahead of Ryan Whitely but his cross from a tight angle was cleared away. 

Ryan Watson was the next ‘Boro player to try his luck but his rasping drive was pushed clear by Lowson as the home side looked to take the lead. 

Whitely was having a perculiar game as he again came out his area and bodychecked Foalle as they continued their mini-duel. From the freekick, Andrew Johnson could only shoot straigt at Whitely. 

As the game approached half time, the home side had the next opportunity, Jeff Henderson was penalised for a foul close to the edge of the box and despite taking an eternity, the referee gave the free kick. Jake Day went close with a header as the ball looped up kindly for it. 

On 41 minutes, Town took the lead through Johnson, a long throw from Chris Reid was hurled into the area with Johnson flicking a header into the far corner via the post. 

A minute later and from a similar move, Foalle was unlucky to glance his header wide of the post.

In the second half, Scarborough must have recieved a rocket at half time as they came out full of intent but again lacked the clear cut chances. Day hooked an effort wide of the far post on 47 minutes. 

Former Stafford Rangers striker, Luca Colville tested Lowson with a sting drive on 50 minutes but again Lowson was equal to the strike and he could push it away.

Lowson made his best save of the game on 58 minutes with a stunning tip over the bar to deny Ryan Watson who had taken aim from outside of the area. 

As the half wore on, Morpeth gained a foothold in the game. Liam Noble did well to make an interception in midfield and he broke forward before crossing into the middle for Foalle with the winger shooting straight at Whitely. 

On 76 minutes, Whitely kept the home side in the game with a good stop at the near post to deny Johnson who’d had a pop from a tight angle. 

Baily Gooda had a good chance to level for the Seadogs but looped his header from the penalty spot over the bar in the 90th minute. 

However, there was to be late heartache for Morpeth as in the 95th minute, Maloney levelled things up with a crling free kick from just outside the area that whistled into the top corner and giving Lowson no chance. 

Morpeth are next in action on New Years Day when they entertain Whitby Town at Craik Park. Tickets are available online before the game and on the day at the gate in cash.

Scarborough Athletic: Whitley, Weledji, Jackson, Heslop (Cadman, 76’), Thornton (Cogill, 66’), Gooda, Day (Plant, 76’) Watson (c), Maloney, Colville, Glynn.

Subs not Used: Ingham, Hutton

Goals: Maloney 90’. 

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, Reid, Hodgson, J. Henderson (c), Turner, Foalle (Forster, 85’), Noble, Johnson, Donaldson (Oliver, 90’), Ramsey (Taylor, 78’).

Subs not Used: Phillips, Ward

Goals: Johnson 41’.