HEXHAM’S Premier Division promotion hopes received a huge boost as they opened a six point gap ahead of third placed Grainger Park.

During a close-fought battle between the two promotion hopefuls, hosts Hexham stepped it up a gear and the 4-2 victory sees them two wins ahead of their rivals, who have three games in hand.

Results haven’t gone Grainger’s way recently as they’ve now gone three league games without a win, and Hexham are hoping their appearance in the final of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup will also act as a distraction.

The home side, meanwhile, have earned 18 points from their past six games, and are further bolstered by the registrations of Northern League players Shaun Vipond and Richard Slaughter, who will turn out when their own league commitments allow.

Both Hexham and Grainger Park struggled to create chances in a fraught opening half, and it took half-an-hour for the first real chance of note to be created.

And when it did, it resulted in the deadlock breaker from the visitors as Dylam Mbanu opened up the Hexham defence as he reacted to a right wing cross arriving in the area.

But Hexham hit back straight away and an effort from the edge of the area from Callum Duncan took a big deflection and looped over the goalkeeper’s head for 1-1.

They had a glorious chance to take the lead two minutes later but captain Tom Hacking diverted a cross wide with the keeper beaten.

Yet Hexham didn’t have long to wait until they led 2-1, Will Forsyth bending an excellent effort from outside the box into the top corner to put his side in the driving seat.

However, the teams went into the break on level terms as Grainger equalised against the run of play. David Gowling delivered a blow to the home side as he made it 2-2 three minutes before the break.

The second half started in a similar manner to the first with most of the play in midfield, with chances few and far between.

That all changed on the hour mark during a game changing episode.

Grainger Park hit the post in a rare piece of goalmouth action, and Hexham immediately broke through the middle to set up a chance of their own.

Robbie Pattison collected the ball out wide and crossed directly for striker Kurtis Harvey, who converted from six yards out.

The goal knocked the fight out of the visitors who, on a hot afternoon, didn’t have the strength in depth Hexham enjoyed as they looked comfortable.

Referee Ray Cushing was controlling the game well and never lost his grip on proceedings, which threatened to turn aggressive at times.

It was game over for Grainger Park with three minutes remaining, a long punt from the back from Hexham’s Scott Robson catching the visitors out, especially the goalkeeper who came out of his box to header clear.

However, under pressure from Tony Lancaster, he fluffed his clearance and Lancaster was able to collect the ball and roll the ball into the empty net to take the final score to 4-2.

Hexham head to Heaton Stannington A at the weekend, before they host another midtable team, Monkseaton, as they aim to push home their advantage.