By Andrew McDonnell (@AndrewSJourno)

Steven Anderson scored a dramatic late winner to hand Morpeth Town a crucial three points after a 3-2 victory over Whitley Bay at Craik Park.

Chris Reid opened the scored midway through the first-half, but the lead was short-lived after Callum Patton converted a penalty three minutes later.

Michael Chilton scored against the run of play on 66 minutes before Patton levelled the game once more 11 minutes from time.

Morpeth snatched victory right at the death when Anderson struck home in the fourth minute of additional time.

The Highwaymen now turn their attention to Saturday’s FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie with Altrincham.

After claiming three points against Dunston UTS at the weekend, Morpeth were looking to get another win under their belt against Whitley, and it was indeed the hosts who started quickly.

Liam Henderson curled wide of the post three minutes into the game after Keith Graydon found the forward in space on the edge of the area.

The visitors’ first chance came on 14 minutes when Jake Fowler forced Karl Dryden into a fine save, pushing over his shot which was heading for the top corner.

Reid went agonisingly close four minutes later when he headed Sean Taylor’s cross off the post, but the hosts did take the lead soon after.

Graydon’s shot was deflected through a crowd of players and into the path of Reid, who took the ball in his stride and found the bottom corner.

The defender headed wide soon after, but it was the visitors who had the next goal in the game when Patton sent Dryden the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Andy Robertson tested Dryden from range on the half-hour, and Henderson struck just over the bar as the sides went in level at the break.

Two minutes after the restart, Whitley went close to going ahead for the first time in the game when Tom Potter rattled the crossbar with a thumping effort.

However, it was Morpeth that found their feet once more, and they went close through Henderson, who had his brilliant shot saved well by Tom Flynn.

Robertson headed McDonald’s cross back across goal on the hour mark and Alex Kempster headed over a glorious chance.

The hosts took the lead once more when a good move was rounded off, Reid drove forward with intent and slid the ball into Henderson.

The forward helped the ball on to Chilton, who made no mistake with the finish as he prodded the ball under the approaching ‘keeper.

Bay levelled the game with 11 minutes remaining when Adam Shanks touched the ball on to Patton, who drove the ball into the net.

Graydon was forced into keeping his side level two minutes later, Whitley’s tails were up and Patton’s effort was cleared off the line.

Time was running out, but Morpeth snatched victory in the fourth minute of additional time.

Damen Mullen’s corner was punched out by Flynn, but only out as far as substitute Anderson, who smashed home via a deflection and jubilant scenes followed.

Morpeth Town: Dryden, Mullen, Turner, Fry, Hall, Reid, Taylor (Anderson, 82 min), Graydon, Henderson, Chilton, Carr (Halambiec, 46 min)

Subs Not Used: Novak, Grieve, Walton

Whitley Bay: Flynn, Nearny, McDonald (Gibson, 77 min), Eleftheriadis, Wilkinson, Potter, Fowler (Anderson, 79 min), Patton, Shanks, Robertson (Fryatt, 77 min), Kempster

Subs Not Used: Keltie

Goals: 1-0, 23 min, Reid; 1-1, 26 min, Patton (Pen); 2-1, 66 min, Chilton; 2-2, 79 min, Patton; 3-2, 90+4 min, Anderson.

Referee: Craig Dean

Assistants: Sam Ross and Gavin Scott

Attendance: 193

Photo: Chris Chambers/ CJC Photo (Official Morpeth Town Photographer)