EVO-STIK EAST

OSSETT UNITED 0 MORPETH 1 MORPETH Town have won many plaudits for their attractive style of play as they bid for a second consecutive promotion.

However, their narrow win at play-off-chasing Ossett United owed much to organisation and composure in the face of a much-fancied opposition.

The opening half offered little in the way of chances, only Highwaymen midfielder Tom Potter and United forward Aidan Chippendale going close for their respective sides.

The game swung heavily in Morpeth’s favour with 19 minutes to go as United striker Adam Priestly was shown a second yellow card.

An off-the-ball incident saw the Gibraltar international handed his marching orders and Nicky Gray’s side wasted little time in seizing the initiative.

The table-topping Highwaymen took the lead just five minutes after Priestly went off.

Defender Chris Reid was the man to finally break the deadlock as he rose to meet a free-kick from Ben Sayer before sending a header beyond hosts’ goalkeeper Brett Souter.

United possess a number of players from the upper echelons of the non-league pyramid but they could find their way past a strong display from Gray’s men. Ossett Town: Souter; Burke (Basic), Chantler (Khan), Gay, Knowles, Gregory, Priestley, Monkhouse, Greaves (Corner), Vann, Chippendale Subs: Foley, Jones Morpeth Town: Lowson; Forster (Foalle), Turner, Sayer, J.henderson, Reid, Carson, Hodgson, L.henderson (Fry), Phillips, Potter (Walton) Subs: Graydon, Petrache.