THIS was a crunch game for both clubs - for defending champions Dunston it was an opportunity to close the significant points gap between the two sides and get their title ambitions back on track; for Bedlington, well, they had failed to record a vic
tory at Federation Park in the past seven seasons of trying, and this was a chance to send a clear message out to the league that the Terriers meant business.
There was good news for Bedlington in that both Morton and Atkinson made quick returns after illness and injury respectively cut short their games in the midweek League Cup win against Horden, and there was also a welcome return for Gareth Powell in goal, after a long-term injury.
First opening of the game fell to Dunston in only the fifth minute. Skipper Irwin's cross from the right saw the league's leading scorer Armstrong head over when unmarked, from 15 yards.
Bedlington responded and came even closer to scoring the first goal when Harmison's free-kick from deep was flicked on by Preen, and Milner hit a half volley on the turn from ten yards that Dawson in the home goal did well to tip over the bar.
In the next attack, the visitors did take the lead on nine minutes. A Douglas corner from the left saw Milner bundle the ball home off his thigh from four yards.
Armstrong almost restored parity in the 17th minute, when through on goal after Kitchen's slip. Powell advanced to the edge of the area and then made a superb diving save low to his left from the Dunston marksman's goal-bound effort.
The same two players were involved again three minutes later, but this time in extremely controversial circumstances.
In an apparently offside position, Armstrong lunged two-footed into the body of Powell - who had the ball under his control. It was immediately apparent that Powell's injury was cause for concern, and after a period of five anxious minutes, he was finally stretchered off the field and an ambulance was called, with Guthrie coming off the bench to take over goalkeeping duties.
On 35 minutes, McAlindon played the ball to Shandran, and he ran clear and into the area, before hitting a shot that took a deflection, taking the power out of it as it ran to Dawson in goal. A minute later, Atkinson tracked back to win the ball, and then played to Douglas in space, who shot from 20 yards high and wide.
With five minutes remaining of the first half, the referee made another extremely controversial decision, this time being Dunston skipper Irwin who was fortunate to remain on the field.
Kitchen's long ball clearance from defence saw Preen steal it from the toes of Irwin just outside the area, only to be unceremoniously hauled down by Irwin and deny him a clear run on goal.
