Whitehaven grabbed a share of the spoils in their Northern League clash at New Marske with a 93rd minute strike from substitute Stephen Hewitt.

It preserved their unbeaten away record in the Second Division in a hard fought game at the G.E.R. stadium.

It had looked so promising for the visitors when they took a third minute lead, courtesy of a David Dustin goal following a corner kick, but defensive hesitancy almost granted the hosts an immediate reply as Carl Chillingsworth and Ben Thompson began to settle into their roles as strikers for the home side.

Both had chances to equalise for the hosts, but hit their shots wide or over the bar after being hurried by a defensive line up that looked increasingly confident as the half progressed.  Whitehaven were quick to counter any mistakes by the front men, and the pace of Darren Donald and Dustin worried the home back four.

Kev Connelly just failed to get on the end of a Lee Dixon flick on, and Craig Robson was dispossessed after surging into the area, but play fluctuated so quickly from end to end it was hard to feel comfortable about the result.

Marske too created chances without testing visiting 'keeper Jack Fryer, and it was Whitehaven who went in at the break 1-0 up.

Whatever was said by home manage Paul Burton after the break brought immediate dividends for Marske as they scored two goals in a hectic five minute spell.

First Steve Cochrane equalised with a speculative shot on the turn from the edge of the area, then Chillingsworth netted from a corner kick with his first shot on target.

The hosts looked well in control now and Fryer had to be alert to keep out shots from new signing Robert Jones and Josh Myers.

Andrew Raw did well to foil Connelly as he bore down on goal as the visitors sought to get back into the game, but it wasn't until the final 20 minutes that Whitehaven really began to exert some real pressure.

Dixon hit a tremendous shot from 35 yards that Brendan Ledgeway did well to turn round the post, and Mike Farrer grazed the bar with another well struck effort.  Then with time running out, Dixon was fouled just inside the Marske half, and from the resulting free kick Stephen Hewitt turned the ball in after some frantic defending.

Director Geoff Nicholson said: “I think we deserved something from the game. It was a warm day and both sides tried to play football.  There were good performances on both sides but it was nice to score and get a share of the points."

This weekend sees Whitehaven create a bit of history by competing for the first time in the F.A. Vase against Cheadle Town down at the Focus Scaffolding Sports Complex.  Kick off is 3pm and it's hoped that people will support the team in this national competition.

Team: Fryer, B. Fowler, Lewis, Hodgson, Law, Dixon, Donald, Holliday, Dustin, Connelly, Robson. Subs: Farrer (60mins) Hewitt (63mins) R. Fowler (84mins).

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