ALSTON Moor couldn’t afford to show signs of rustiness as they returned to action after a month off.

For they were involved in a hard fought game at Bishop Auckland Hogans, battling hard to earn the slender 2-1 victory.

Alston controlled the early stages of the game and went close to scoring as Jordan Norris collected a cross but just fired over the top of the goal. Jack Currah similarly had a good chance, but he failed to get a proper connection on another cross which flashed across the six yard box.

Eventually, the visitors took the lead when Callum James beat a couple of defenders and drilled a low cross across goal for Ross Thompson to hammer home at the back post.

The home side almost levelled when a quickly taken free kick found their striker in space, but goalkeeper Jason Williams rushed off his line to keep him out, breaking his finger in the process.

Hogans were more determined in the second half and had their guests pinned in their own half for large spells, and they were back on level terms when the referee pointed to the penalty spot, much to the surprise of Alston’s defenders.

Auckland continued to put the pressure on but Alston looked dangerous on the break and, after hitting the bar with a fine effort, James found the back of the net as he outpaced the home defence and calmly rounded the keeper before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Back came Hogans as they threw everything at the visitors in pursuit of a point, but, with man of the match Adam Walton particularly shining, the defence hold firm as they survived a scare when the hosts hit a shot which cannoned off the crossbar.

The win kept Alston fourth in the table, just three points off Wear Valley.