A THUMPING header from Alex Benjamin just 20 seconds from time sent Ponteland United past close rivals Wallington in the Challenge Cup.

The Northern Alliance Premier Division opponents were locked in an entertaining, end-to-end encounter until the prolific substitute powered a header past the distraught Wallington goalkeeper Jordan Anderson.

Thirty-six-year-old Benjamin returned to United in the summer to provide the team with more fire power, but sat out 75 minutes of the cup tie with Wallington.

His introduction to proceedings was a lively one as, minutes after being booked, he connected with Mason Stephenson's cross to put Ponteland into the second round draw.

It brought an end to the attack-minded contest which was top notch viewing for the neutral.

Jordan Nellis, who was a regular with Northern League side Consett last season, has returned for Wallington, and he nearly broke the deadlock on five minutes as he cut in from the left, only to flash his shot across goal.

Ponteland's danger man Zack Bewley then created an opening at the other end, but his effort was kept out by Anderson.

The game continued to swing back and forth, with Gary Cook just beaten to the race for the ball by Anderson as they contested Bewley's through ball.

While Wallington were creating more, the better chances were falling United's way and Cook should have been celebrating the opener when he again raced on to a Bewley pass, but his shot wasn't firm enough to trouble Anderson.

Nellis remained Wallington's most likely source of a goal but was frustrated by Mullen who palmed away a strong shot after the strike cut inside Jack L'Argent.

Nellis was then on to a poorly attempted back pass in a flash but Mullen came out on top again when one-on-one.

Five minutes before the half time break, Bewley's shot rebounded off Anderson but Lee Gustard poked his effort wide of the post.

The second half was just six minutes old when Ponteland opened the scoring, although the goal came courtesy of a huge slice of luck.

Defender Paul Jones raced out of defence and then picked out Gustard, and he advanced down the wing and found the back of the net from the most narrow of angles, with the help of a deflection or two.

Wallington looked for a reaction and John Paxton was picked out by Josh Willis, but shot across goal when in a good position.

They were presented with the perfect opportunity to equalise on 67 minutes, when Ponteland defender Rory Spencer was adjudged to push over his marker in the area.

Paxton made no mistake from 12 yards, and there only looked like one winner from then on in.

From a free kick, Paxton hit a great strike on goal which heralded an equally impressive save from Mullen.

Ponteland regrouped and had a great chance to go back ahead but Stephenson wasted it when he cleared the crossbar when clear on goal.

But the same player didn't let the missed chance get to him as he floated in the ball which was met superbly by Benjamin at the death, the striker's header deciding the game.