THE introduction of Matthew Konadu-Yiadom proved Ponteland United’s downfall as their title hopes were dented by fellow candidates Newcastle University.

The arrival from the bench late on saw the Students push on, setting one up and scoring two himself to secure the points in the 5-2 victory.

The scores were level at 2-2 with just 10 minutes remaining, but the fresh legs of Konadu-Yiadom outpaced the Pont defence and, while his effort was saved by Craig Whinham, the ball rebounded into the path of Callum Hall to tap home.

Ponteland’s frustrations at conceding late on boiled over and they were reduced to nine men as a result, Jack L’Argent shown a second yellow for a rash challenge with Steve Sattherthwaite shown red for dissent after Konadu-Yiadom put the final nails in the coffin with his two goals.

United barely got going in the first half and conceded a penalty on 10 minutes when Rory Spencer brought down Conrad Zylko, but Oliver Walker’s spot kick came back off the post. But the reprieve was only temporary as Newcastled gained the lead five minutes later when a cross from Callum Horn was headed home by Olly Walden.

Walker again hit the post soon after, but Ponteland levelled against the run of play when a free kick from Chris Hibbitt was headed on to Alex Nisbet who sent the ball home.

Newcastle came out of the restart all fired up and restored the lead when Walker turned his man with ease to find the bottom corner. United were still out of sorts but found themselves unexpectedly on level terms again when Michael Fenwick’s cross was diverted by leading scorer Ethan Bewley for an opportunist goal.

The goal lifted Ponteland and an end-to-end encounter ensued, until pacy Konadu-Yiadom proved the difference after being brought into the action.