HEXHAM missed their chance to go top of Northern Alliance Division One at home to Gosforth Bohemians.

The green and whites, still playing at Wark due to ongoing maintenance on their regular pitch at Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure Centre, lost 3-2.

“It could have gone either way,” said manager Martin Lowes. “We had a 2-1 lead, and it was in the balance at 2-2 with half an hour to go.

“In truth, we weren’t at our best. Credit to Gosforth though, they worked hard and took their chances. We got sucker punched with 10 minutes to go, and we now just have to look forward to the next game.”

The match started badly for Hexham. Their appeals for offside were ignored as a Bohemians forward ran on to a through ball to put the away side ahead on 11 minutes..

Dylan Mabunu was Hexham’s main threat in the first half, and after forcing a good save from the visiting keeper, he tucked away a penalty in the 33rd minute, after Lewis Loughhead was floored in the box.

Five minutes later, Hexham keeper Tom Craney’s long goal kick picked out Kurtis Harvey, and the strong centre forward powered his way past two defenders before lifting the ball delicately over the advancing keeper, to give his side a 2-1 lead at half time.

Gosforth hit back on the hour mark with a well placed front post header found its way past Craney.

Hexham pushed forward in a bid to continue their impressive opening season record of five wins in eight league games.

But on 79 minutes, a Gosforth forward ran on to a diagonal ball and slotted it home to make it 3-2.