Norton & Stockton Ancients2

Northallerton Town 2

NORTHALLERTON Town were denied three points by a last-gasp equaliser last Saturday despite having two men sent off for swearing.

The SOS - Stamp out Swearing - message which the Albany Northern League has issued to all member clubs and match officials in an attempt to attract more spectators, including families, has clearly failed to get through to the Northallerton players.

Referees have been instructed that any player using foul, abusive or insulting language must be dismissed from the field of play and Town had striker Ross Foreman and leading scorer Ross Diamond sent off for swearing in the game at Norton.

Remarkably, Town, who were trailing 1-0 while they had 11 men on the field, completely turned the game around with two goals from Andy Swalwell, his first for the club, in the space of six minutes midway through the second half.

However, after defending superbly, they were denied what would have been a memorable victory by an injury-time equaliser, ironically scored by ex-Town player Dean Goodwin.

Disappointed Town manager Paul Burton wouldn't comment on the red cards.

He said: "What I've had to say has been left in the privacy of the dressing room, however I'm proud of the nine men who finished the game, they gave their all.

"When we were a goal down and two men sent off I would have gladly settled for a point, but now I'm a little disappointed that we haven't come away with all three".

Town made the better start and Foreman missed a great chance in the first minute when he rose to meet a Dominic Gamble corner, but failed to make contact with a glancing header with the goal at his mercy.

He again failed to make contact five minutes later when he slid in from the edge of the six-yard box to meet a low Steve Cochrane cross.

After surviving these early scares, Norton came more into it and went close in the 15th minute through Graham Braverstock, who flashed a low angled drive wide of the far post.

Four minutes later, Town keeper Sam Dobbs had to make a good low save at the foot of the post to deny Darren Morton, who had latched on to a free kick into the area from David Able.

Norton took the lead in the 25th minute through the lively Baverstock, who raced clear to round the advancing Dobbs after Town had lost possession in the middle of the park.

Simon Collighan had a superb chance to equalise in the 30th minute when he was put clear by a through ball from Ian Williams, but he shot wide of the near post.

Six minutes before the break, Town were reduced to ten men when captain Foreman was sent off by referee Kevin Raine for swearing at one of his own team-mates.

It appeared to be all over for Town ten minutes into the second half when Diamond was also dismissed, again for swearing after questioning a throw-in decision.

Dobbs then made two great saves to keep his side in the game. First, in the 60th minute, he went low to keep out a 20-yard drive from Steve Roberts. He then produced a super save to turn away a great strike from Paul Rowntree.

But the home side were stunned in the 69th minute when Town equalised through Swalwell, who scored with a great drive from the edge of the box after a free kick into the area from Williams was only partially cleared by ex-Town player John Outhwaite.

The nine men then incredibly went ahead with a brilliant goal from Swalwell, who scored with a quickly-taken 20-yard free kick which caught home keeper Steve Gill flat-footed.

Norton piled on the pressure in the closing stages and they were finally rewarded deep into injury time when Goodwin headed home at the far post following a corner from Roberts.

Town are at home tomorrow when Kennek Ryhope CA are the visitors, kick-off 3pm.