A LAST gasp header from Dale Watson returned Prudhoe YC Seniors to winning ways.

An action-packed, end-to-end thriller with Spittal Rovers was tied at 3-3 on 90 minutes, but the points belonged to the hosts with Watson powering home from six yards.

Minutes after Scott Douglas had managed to hit the goalkeeper from just four yards out, he made amends by sending over a pinpoint cross which was begging for Watson to plant into the back of the net.

The goal brought the enthralling encounter to a suitably dramatic finish, the scoring broken after just two minutes as Rovers’ James Moore turned the ball home at the front post after a low cross from Kyle Jeffrey.

The lead lasted just eight minutes with Prudhoe back on level terms through a spectacular strike from Lee Blackburn, the midfielder running onto a headed defensive clearance and sending a controlled half volley from 30 yards swerving low into the corner of the net.

The goal lifted Prudhoe and they went on to dominate the first half, Spittal keeper Stephen Mason kept incredibly busy. After Matty Robinson struck the crossbar and Jordan Phillips was denied, Prudhoe went ahead when Blackburn’s dangerous in-swinging corner found the back of the net unaided.

They thought they were 3-1 to the good soon after when a lobbed shot from Sean Brown left Mason stranded, but a dubious offside decision denied them a two-goal cushion.

The decision was even harder to take as Spittal levelled just before the break when Jeffrey lashed home a Luke Strangeways cross from 20 yards.

Rovers created a number of chances early into the second half, but it was Prudhoe who regained the lead when Phillips beat four men and turned the ball back for Douglas to find a way past Mason, via a deflection. The visitors were level almost immediately, though, with Moore’s trickery affording him the space to pick out the powerful Kevin Greshon to head home.

Both sets of players continued to carve out chances, but it was Prudhoe who were celebrating after Watson’s late decider.