Thornaby get brace in the bag and move top
DRUMS, whistles and horns provided the entertaining soundtrack to a titanic Teesside tussle.
And it was Thornaby that hit all of the right notes as they saw off local rivals Billingham Town to move to the top of the Division Two table.
A second-half penalty from Kurtis Howes proved to be the difference between the two sides after Jack Bailey’s opening goal had been cancelled out by a neat finish from Town striker Elliott Beddow.
The first chance of the game summed up the scrappy nature of the opening 10 minutes.
Town failed to clear a cross from the left, despite making several attempts to do so.
One looping defensive header found its way to unmarked Thornaby captain Joe Scaife-wheatley, but he could only send a weak header into the grateful arms of Town keeper Lewis Mcdonald from eight yards out.
Within seconds the visitors created a golden opportunity of their own as Matthew Robinson broke through on goal, but his low drive was blocked by the legs of Thornaby number one James Dawson.
The duo went head-to-head once again moments later and again Robinson was left frustrated as Dawson managed to divert another shot around his near-post.
The hosts rewarded their keeper for his efforts by taking the lead just after the halfway point of the firsthalf.
Midfielder Jack Bailey was the man to break the deadlock as he kept his