THORNABY 2 BILLINGHAM TOWN 1
composure to caress a low shot beyond Mcdonald from the edge of the box.
The goal was met by the strains of Pigbag – the tune usually reserved to celebrate goals at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.
Town reacted well to falling behind and should have been back on level terms on 38 minutes when Robinson and Dawson duelled for a third time.
Again it was the Thornaby keeper that came out on top as he palmed a stinging drive away from goal.
But there was nothing that Dawson could do to prevent Elliott Beddow grabbing a deserved equaliser for the visitors just five minutes before halftime. The Town striker raced on to a slide-rule pass and calmly rolled the ball under the advancing keeper and into the net before taking the acclaim of the noisy travelling support behind the goal.
Whatever was said in the home dressing-room during the interval clearly made an impact as Thornaby seized the initiative in the early stages of the second half.
Stephen Morrison, Joe Posthill and Kyran Clark all went close to restoring their side’s lead as Town’s area was put under constant pressure. That pressure paid off just after the hour-mark.
Kurtis Howes raced into the area and drew a foul from Town captain Lee Moore.
Referee David Holmes wasted little time in awarding a penalty and Howes picked himself up to slot the ball past Mcdonald to put his side back in front. Queue Pigbag once again. The Boro anthem was still being played over a minute later as Kyran Clark wasted a golden opportunity to stretch the lead as he scuffed the ball into Mcdonald’s hands after some fine work from strike-partner Ian Ward.
Former Bishop Auckland striker Ward went close to doubling Thornaby’s lead moments later when he headed over the bar from eight yards.
There was to be one last hurrah from the hosts as they were awarded an injury-time penalty.
A foul on Dan Flounders gave Town substitute Ash Lavan a chance to snatch a point for his side.
The spot-kick was struck well but Thornaby keeper Dawson produced a stunning save to earn his side a deserved win, and one that sees them top the table for the first time this season. That will be music to their ears.
THORNABY: Dawson, Morrison, Wilson, Burton, Poole, Posthill, Scaife-wheatley, Bailey, Clark (Murphy), Ward, Howes Subs: Roddam, Crainey, Simpson, Jackson BILLINGHAM TOWN: Mcdonald, Moore, Dixon (Hogan), Connor, Summers, Flounders, Carter, Davies, Hutchinson, Beddow (Lavan), Robinson Subs: Kirkbride, Hillerby, Mcphillips