PONTELAND United bounced back from their disappointing shock defeat to Ashington Colliers by defeating struggling Northbank Carlisle 2-0.

Late strikes in either half inflicted the damage, although it was a lot more comfortable for a free-flowing Pont than the scoreline suggests.

United travellled to Cumbria on a glorious afternoon, and had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock on the half hour.

Gary Cook and Reece Havelock-Brown carved open the hosts with a slick passing move and, after Zac Bewley’s shot had been parried by goalkeeper Kyle Townsley, the ball fell to younger brother Ethan Bewley who somehow missed the target with the goal at his mercy.

The teenager made amends just before the half time break when he came out with the ball through a cluster of defenders, and fired past Townsley to finish a fine move instigated by David Short. Ponteland continued to create chances in the second half with Havelock-Brown’s strong appeals for a penalty turned down, moments before he produced an outstanding overhead kick from Mason Stephenson’s cross which just sailed over.

The all-important goal came six minutes from time when Havelock-Brown and Stephenson again combined, with the ball finding its way to substitute striker Shaun Johnstone to side foot the ball into the far corner for all three points.

Ponteland United Reserves remain five points clear at the top of the Tyneside Amateur League following their 5-1 victory at Newcastle Medicals, their ninth win in a row.

Jason Walsh scored two, and Toy Spratt, Sean McDonald and Dan Brown one each, while captain Darren Parkes was again named man of the match.