Morpeth Town finished their pre-season schedule with a 1-0 defeat at Marske United as Curtis Round’s late strike proved decisive.

The midfielder netted with three minutes to go, on the break away, as a tight game fell the way of the hosts.

Morpeth started strongly and should have been ahead as early as the second minute, but, after Michael Turner released Tom Potter down the left flank, Jack Foalle couldn’t convert the latter’s cross, instead forcing a smart stop low down from Marske keeper Jack Norton.

Ten minutes later and the Highwaymen went even closer through Liam Henderson. The striker set his sights and unleashed a low drive which cannoned back off the post before striking the keeper and rolling behind for a corner.

Town were enjoying a period of dominance and went close to opening the scoring a minute later through Foalle, the forward striding into the area before dragging a shot wide of the far post.

It took until the 24^th minute for the home side to go close themselves, Andrew Stephenson glancing a cross over the top, but Morpeth came forward once more and should have claimed a 28^th minute first goal through Sean Reid.

The midfielder, latching on to Liam Henderson’s through ball, sent a rising drive goalward but was denied by Norton.

Whereas the first half was attacking and full of chances, the second period was a tamer affair, with neither side threatening until Foalle nodded a 59^th minute Stephen Forster cross into the hands of Norton.

Town were looking the more likely in terms of breaking the deadlock and had two glorious chances in quick succession with five minutes to go. Substitute Ben Harmison nodded wide of the far post before he then forced a terrific low stop from Marske’s keeper.

Seconds later, though, and the home side had their winner, Round sprinting on to a long punt downfield before finding his first effort smothered by Town stopper Dan Lowson. Unfortunately for Morpeth, the ball fell invitingly back to the Marske midfielder, who made no mistake by rolling the ball into an empty net.

Town are next in action when the league season begins, with a trip to Warrington Town on Saturday, August 17^th (3pm) in the BetVictor Premier Division.

Keep an eye on our social media channels for details of the supporters’ bus.

MARSKE UNITED: Norton, May, Round, Scott, Burgess, Wheatley, Martin, Maloney, Waters, Blackford, Stephenson.

SUBS: Brockbank, O’Sullivan, Prichard, Clark, Trialist.

GOAL: Curtis Round (87)

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Forster, Turner, Hodgson, J.Henderson, Thackray, Foalle, Phillips, L.Henderson, S.Reid, Potter.

SUBS: Sayer, Mohammed, Harmison, Walker, Judson.