Northallerton were ousted from the FA Vase after taking Consett to a replay in midweek.

After drawing with the Norrthern League side last Saturday, a last-minute Matthew Slocombe goal sent Consett through.

Consett took the lead through Steven Aiston from close range, but Ian Smurthwaite equalised for Northallerton on 66 minutes with a 25 yarder.

Just two minutes later Michael Mackay converted a penalty for handball to put Consett into the lead, then Craig Winter appeared to force extra time when he scored two minutes from the end with a header.

But Slocombe put Consett into the next round when he scored from 12 yards deep into stoppage time.

Northallerton forced the replay courtesy of a late header from Grant Hickman in an epic battle last Saturday.

After a tight opening 20 minutes, it was Consett who took the lead when defender David Scorer was given far too much time to fire home an unstoppable shot from 25 yards - the first goal conceded by Steve Craggs this season.

Town were playing some good football in the first half but they failed to seriously test visiting goalkeeper Chris Elliott, and Consett were close to doubling their advantage just before the break when Mackay struck the post.

Town knew they were still in the tie and came out at the start of the second period looking far more dangerous.

They were close to grabbing an equaliser within five minutes when Adam Emson got to the bye-line and cut the ball back for Steve Butterworth, but his shot was well saved by Elliott.

Fanning introduced Gredziak soon after as Town looked to keep their Vase dream alive.

The game opened up after that, with Consett being frustrated by Town’s excellent defence and Town themselves creating a number of half chances. But with less than ten minutes remaining, the Division One side still led.

Town, however, dug deep and were rewarded on 83 minutes with a fully deserved equaliser. Gav Parkin’s corner from the right reached the far post where, reminiscent of his Ernest Armstrong Cup winning goal, Hickman ghosted in unnoticed to head past Elliott.

In fact Town almost won it in stoppage time when Gredziak’s cross eluded both Emson and Chillingsworth in the centre, sending the tie into extra time.

The extra half an hour saw both sides have chances to win the game. Twice Consett got in behind the Town defence but both times the danger was cleared, while at the other end Gredziak’s through ball freed Emson, only for his shot across goal to be scrambled to safety.

Town are back in league action tomorrow when Chesterle-Street are the visitors to the RGPS. It is ‘Kids 4 Free’ day where all under 12’s are admitted free with a full paying adult. Kick off is 3pm.