Match Report brought to you by Northumbria Print

Morpeth produced a spirited performance to take a share of the spoils with Lancaster City on Tuesday evening. Both sides ended the game with 10 men after red cards for Jeff Henderson and Andrew Teague writes Sam Donovan.

Sam Fishburn put the visitors ahead in the first half before Henderson was sent off. Andrew Johnson levelled things up before Micky Turner put the Highwaymen ahead. Teague was then dismissed before Paul Dawson levelled things from the spot. 

Morpeth began the game on the front foot and after a slip on halfway by Lancaster, Carl Finnigan fed Sean Taylor and the winger forced Matthew Alexander into a smart save at his near post.

There was an early chance at the other end of the pitch as Lancaster came forward and Robert Wilson tested Dan Lowson from the corner of the box only a minute later. 

With 5 minutes on the clock, Lowson was called into action again as Morpeth were caught in possession and Sam Fishburn stung the palms of Lowson from a tight angle. 

Morpeth created the clearest opportunity of the game on 8 minutes when he sent in a low cross that Carl Finnigan could reach but only diverted his strike over the bar. 

The visitors took the lead on 17 minutes as the game continued to swing from one end to the other. A one two down the left allowed Liam Brockbank to get down the flank and he delivered a low ball into the area that was tucked home by Sam Fishburn. 

Morpeth poured forward looking for an immediate response and Jeff Henderson saw an effort blocked before the rebound came back to Andrew Johnson who saw his strike deflect narrowly wide of the far post. 

The first moment of controversy occurred in the 44th minute as Michael Turner was prone on the turf and headed the ball back to Lowson. However, the referee decided it was a back pass and gave the away a free kick on the edge of the area. However, to the relief of the Highwaymen it was played straight into the wall. 

Morpeth came out for the second half with their tails up and Matthew Alexander was beaten all ends up as Ryan Donaldson cut in from the left and sent a howitzer that glanced off the top of the bar and out of play with the ‘keeper looking on. 

On 62 minutes, the game swung dramatically as Jeff Henderson was given two yellows in the space of 10 seconds by the referee. Seeing yellow for a foul, he was then given his marching orders for dissent. 

Town showed a spirited responded and levelled things up and Andrew Johnson rifled in a right footed effort from the corner of the box that whistled into the top corner. 

With 15 minutes of the game remaining, the Highwaymen took the lead as Liam Noble flighted in a corner and Micky Turned leapt highest to power a header into the back of the net past Alexander. 

Lancaster wanted a share of the spoils and on 77 minutes came forward with Christian Sloan forcing Lowson into a punched clearance as Morpeth looked to hold on. 

An off the ball tussle off the ball resulted in Andrew Teague getting his marching orders as he tussled with Carl Finnigan. Teague seeing a second yellow after collecting one in the first half for going through Finnigan. 

The visitors did get a leveller and it came from the penalty spot on 84 minutes. Paul Dawson was caught in the area and he composed himself to get his side on equal terms. His initial panenka penalty was saved by the legs of Lowson but the ball broke back for Dawson who tapped home. 

Both sides continued to press for the winner as the game entered added time as Jack Foalle forced Alexander into a save before Charlie Bailey called Lowson into action. 

Both sides will go at it again on Saturday at Craik Park but this time in the FA Cup. Tickets for the game are on sale online now and will be available on the day at the gate (cash only). 

Morpeth Town: Lowson, Walton, Turner, Sayer (Foalle, 73’), Henderson (c), Morris, Taylor, Noble, Finnigan (Millington, 90’), Donaldson, Johnson (Geliher, 90’).

Subs not Used: Marrs, O’Connor, 

Goals: Johnson 64’, Turner 75’

Lancaster City: Alexander, Bailey, Brockbank, Fensome, Teague (c), Graham, Sloan, Cowperthwaite, Fishburn (Dawson, 69’), Turner, Wilson (Bailey, 73’).

Subs not Used: Anderson, Ikpakwu, Wills

Goals: Fishburn 17’, Dawson 85’