Match Report sponsored by Northumbria Print.

Morpeth grabbed their first win in the league this season with a hard-fought victory over Mickleover at the Don Amott Arena on Saturday writes Sam Donovan.

Liam Noble and Andrew Johnson were the heroes for Town as they threatened to pay the price for missing two penalties at the start of the second half.

Liam Noble had the first opportunity on 6 minutes but the Mickleover ‘keeper Hawkins made a fine save to keep the scores level.

The Highwaymen thought they had strong claims for a penalty turned down on 10 minutes after Hawkins went through Jack Foalle to get to the ball but the referee wasn’t interested.

Liam Henderson was next to try his luck but his shot after a quickly taken free kick was slightly too high and he clipped it over the bar.

Morpeth continued to dominate possession and territory before deservedly taking the lead on 17 minutes. Noble was the one with the strike but the ball took a deflection on the way into the back of the net leaving Hawkins with no chance.

Only 4 minutes later and Callum Williams was unlucky to see a strike from distance clear the cross bar as Town continued to torment their hosts.

Hawkins was again called into action on 37 minutes when he first denied Andrew Johnson at the near post but spilled the ball to Henderson. However, his blushes were spared with the flag denying the number 9.

Dan Lowson was called into action for the first time in the game on 41 minutes when he was alert to deal with a tame effort from Declan Bacon.

The game turned on it’s head only 2 minutes into the second half as Stuart Beavon levelled things up for the home side. Beavon saw his initial shot saved by Lowson but was quickest to react to the loose ball and fired into the roof of the net.

Morpeth had the best opportunity to regain the lead on 53 minutes after Foalle won his side a penalty. His persistence and pace forced an error from a defender who could only bring down Foalle. However, Liam Henderson saw his effort saved by Hawkins.

Just when you had the feeling that it wasn’t going to be Morpeth’s day, the referee awarded another penalty for Town after a handball in the area on 59 minutes. Liam Noble this time stepped up and went for the opposite corner but Hawkins again guessed right to make the save.

Dan Lowson had to keep Morpeth in the game which he did to make two fantastic saves to deny George Milner.

Town regained the lead on 68 minutes and it was Andrew Johnson who bundled the ball home. Noble delivered a corner to the far post and Johnson was on hand to touch the ball home.

Into the final 10 minutes and Joe Walton shot on the turn but the effort was over the bar and gave a little glimmer of hope to Mickleover.

Lowson needed to be on his toes to deny Gowing as Mickleover threatened to take a share of the spoils.

Fortunately for the Highwaymen, they were able to see out the rest of the game to record their first league win of the season.

The Highwaymen are in action on Tuesday evening when they make the trip to Lancashire to face Lancaster City at Giant Axe.

STARTING XI: Lowson, Williams, Forster, Sayer, J. Henderson (c), Turner, Foalle, Hodgson, L. Henderson, Noble (Finnigan 68’), Johnson (Walton, 81’)

SUBS NOT USED: Leonard, Mohammed.

GOALS: Noble 17’, Johnson 68’.