Bishop Auckland v Pontefract Collieries

Recap

Bishops failed to take advantage of a strong first-half performance as play-off chasing Pontefract took charge after the break to make the task of avoiding relegation even more difficult with ten games now remaining.

Liam Jarvie squandered a gilt-edged chance inside the opening 10 minutes when he swivelled on a pass from Steels and fired just wide of the far post.

Despite the robustness of the visitors, Bishops were entirely on the front foot and had a strong penalty shout waved away on 37 minutes as a defender appeared to lean into the ball with his arm as Blackford swung in a cross.

As has happened multiple times already this season, Bishops’ were quickly punished as Sinfield beat Norton with Pontefract’s first effort on goal with a shot that took a slight deflection and arrowed into the far corner.

A change in formation and introduction of fresh legs allowed Pontefract to control proceedings after half-time, and full back Perry ran onto a pass to calmly slot past Norton on the hour mark.

Roberts had a chance to pull a goal back almost instantly, slamming a close-range effort into Christy in the visitors’ goal, who was quickly out to deny the forward.

Norton produced a superb save to push an effort onto his post, and the lively Wilson thumped a shot against the bar as the game looked well beyond Bishops’ going into the final segment of the game.

Just inside of the added-on five minutes, Sinfield grabbed his second of the afternoon after getting the better of Brown and slotting home.  Hopson scored a consolation from the spot after Roberts was hacked down.

Match report by Gavin Hadden