A LATE equaliser denied Hexham all three points at Newcastle East End on Saturday.

The Green and Whites led 2-0 at half time, and 3-1 after 75 minutes, in the Northern Alliance Division One encounter, but they couldn’t hold out against a well-drilled Newcastle side.

Hexham started the game brightly, but they were susceptible to the counter attack on a tight pitch.

Kurtis Harvey put them ahead on 15 minutes, with a powerful run followed by a low shot underneath the advancing goalkeeper. Peter McRoberts added a second. Following good work down the right from Robbie Pattison and Lewis Furness, the ball was spread to McRoberts on the left side of the box, and the latter provided a cool finish to the keeper’s left.

East End pulled a goal back on 55 minutes, after Hexham failed to deal with a long ball.

But they regained their commanding position when the pacey Dylan Mabunu broke away down the left, and provided a cross for Harvey to finish from the edge of the six yard box.

East End weren’t finished, however, and with 12 minutes to go, they reduced the deficit to 3-2, before equalising in injury time.

“We switched off for their second goal,” said manager Martin Lowes. “and for their third we didn’t clear our lines.

“It’s frustrating for the lads because we twice looked to be in a strong position, but we’re learning all the time.”