Brodie Litchfield’s great press helped to open the scoring for Hallam before Matty Todd equalised in front of a fantastic attendance of 1,004 at Sandygate.

The Countrymen bettered their performance from their last encounter with Consett, with the Steelmen winning 4-0 in the FA Trophy earlier this season.

Craig Denton made four changes from the side’s midweek loss to Matlock Town, with Warhurst, Aguas, South and Cadman coming into the side for Hedge, Bradbury, Ward and Poulter.

And after a quarter of an hour, Hallam had their first opportunity of the game when a good ball into the box was helped on by Jamie Sharman, but captain Danny South was unable to direct it goalwards.

But just a minute later, the Countrymen were in the lead! Litchfield’s great press was too much for Consett goalkeeper Harry Moss, whose attempted clearance was blocked by Litchfield, which didn’t need any further touch to find the back of the net.

And Litchfield nearly doubled the lead when Moss made a great save to keep out the club’s top goalscorer, after great work from South, with the latter suffering an unfortunate early injury as a result, on his return to the side from suspension.

And soon after, Consett equalised after Hugo Warhurst’s initial save was parried back into the box; giving Todd an open goal to tap home into, and level the scoring.

In the second half, both sides had various opportunities to go in front, with Warhurst making some key saves to keep the Steelmen away, and James Cadman and Litchfield’s shots testing the keeper in the first 25 minutes.

And with seven to go, substitute Harrison Poulter had a great chance; battling well and winning the ball in a brilliant position, causing problems for the goalkeeper, but, alas, going just wide.

But in the final minute of the game, Hallam thought they had snatched a late winner when Calum Ward headed home in front of the Shed End, with it quickly being deemed offside.

Hallam sit 14th in the league after that point at home, two points off Consett in 10th.

Attentions now turn to another game at Sandygate on Tuesday night (14th, 7.45pm), as Denton’s side face Grimsby Borough, looking to continue their maginificent unbeaten record in Crosspool.

MOTM – Jamie Sharman

Attendance – 1,004

Photo Credits – Ian Manewell