Morpeth Town lost for the first time in pre-season as they were beaten 2-1 at Dunston on Friday night.
The Highwaymen had levelled on the stroke of half-time, with Andrew Johnson finding the back of the net. However, Scott Heslop’s double would prove the difference between the two sides as he opened the scoring and finished it, with 12 minutes remaining.
A good, competitive work out for both sides – formerly Northern League rivals for many years – Morpeth were put through their paces throughout and fell behind just after the half-hour mark when Heslop dinked the ball over Town stopper Dan Lowson before finding the back of the net.
The visitors continued to push for a goal of their own and had their best opportunity to do so from the penalty spot on 44 minutes. However, after Liam Henderson was felled in the area, Liam Noble’s spot-kick was saved.
Morpeth would only need to wait a matter of seconds for the equaliser to arrive though as Johnson struck following Henderson’s set-up.
The second half was equally nip and tuck between both sides, with Noble threatening once again on 52 minutes, but his side-foot volley just missed the target.
Heslop, though, would be next to score, the Dunston man registering his second of the night with 12 minutes to go to give his side a decisive advantage.
There was still time for Noble to see another spot-kick saved with three minutes left as Morpeth suffered a rare defeat.
