GUISBOROUGH Town’s impressive run of five league games without a defeat came to an end at Consett on Saturday when they were beaten 3-2 despite a determined second half comeback.

Against Consett Guisborough found themselves on the back foot after just six minutes when Michael Mackay turned two defenders to slot the ball home to give his side an early 1-0 lead. Guisborough almost equalised when Consett keeper Ross Coombe pulled off an excellent save to thwart a flick from Guisborough striker and former Consett old boy Nathan Steel. But two minutes into first half time added on Consett doubled their lead to 2-0 when skipper Danny Craggs beat the diving Guisborough keeper Jordan Nixon with a superb free kick from 20 yards out.

After half-time Guisborough looked to have a mountain to climb but they came out with renewed vigour after the interval and pushed high-flying Consett all the way but ultimately narrowly missed out on what would have been a valuable and well-earned point. Guisborough finally got reward for their endeavours when on 63 minutes they deservedly pulled it back to 2-1 when Brian Close found himself unmarked at the far post and he made no mistake in sweeping the ball home.

However, 13 minutes later in the 76th minute Consett restored their two-goal cushion when a deflected shot from 20 yards by Michael Mackay wrong-footed Guisborough keeper Nixon to end up in the back of the net for 3-1 to Consett. To their credit Guisborough kept battling and in the 84th minute a brilliant curling shot from distance by Jay Wilson ended up in the back of the Consett net for 3-2. Guisborough tried valiantly to force an equaliser in the dying minutes but the Steelmen of Consett held on for the three points after what even the hardened home fans agreed was a very close-fought game in the end.

Guisborough remain just below mid-table with a comfortable cushion of 12 points over Penrith, who currently occupy the third relegation spot. Tomorrow Guisborough face Newcastle Benfield at the KGV Stadium (kick-off 3pm) and then on Boxing Day play high-flying Marske United at Marske for the annual Christmas derby (kick-off 11am).