Recap

Isaac Walker turned playmaker as the Steelmen edged passed an organised Northallerton Town.

The forward grabbed a brace of assists, teeing up Coleman and Conway either side of a headed equaliser, as late heroics from Jacob Bulmer helped Redcar over the line for an important three points.

Steve Connolly made a pair of changes following Saturday’s frustrating stalemate, pushing Matty Garbutt into a full-back role, whilst Alfie Conway returned to the side in place of Owen Clarkson.

There was a slow start to the contest, with both sides lacking any considerable goal threat in the opening half hour. Ben Dale was the first to test Northallerton number one Sam Taylor, planting a headed effort from a set piece into his grateful grasp, whilst Jacob Bulmer was forced to react quickly to keep out John Howard after a tidy give and go with Nathan Stephenson.

After threatening to take the lead with a misplaced effort from Paul Young’s cutback, Isaac Walker turned provider, sliding the ball across the face of goal for Sonni Coleman to blast passed Sam Taylor and secure Athletic a 32^nd minute advantage.

Coleman nearly earned himself a quick brace moments later, failing to keep his curling effort under the bar, with club captain Mike Woodhouse suffering a nasty injury in the build-up, leaving the field on a stretcher to the applause of the whole crowd after a short period of treatment.

Northallerton found themselves on top after play resumed, with Bulmer on hand to deny Stephenson twice to keep the lead intact at the interval, palming an effort from range over the bar, before scrambling across goal spectacularly to claw an effort from the corner spot off the line.

The second period began in much the same vein as it did against Penrith, with a lapse in concentration from an early corner allowing Dan Jones to head home relatively unchallenged, leaving Redcar facing a fourth consecutive home draw.

A goalmouth scramble just 10 minutes into the half saw the visitors come worryingly close to taking the advantage, with a combination of Bulmer and bodies on the line keeping the ball out of the net, before it was somehow scrambled behind for a goal kick.

With the threat of falling behind looming and little over 20 minutes to go, Walker notched his second assist of the evening, setting up Alfie Conway for his first goal for the club, the deflected effort bouncing over a sprawling Sam Taylor to rescue the lead for Redcar.

A chance to secure a cushion over the visitors went amiss in the 85^th minute, with Sam Taylor atoning for his error in conceding the penalty – bringing down Isaac Walker – by diving to his left to deny Rivis from the spot, handing his side a late lifeline.

With confidence now on their side, Northallerton became relentless in their attempt to salvage a point, coming closest when John Howard struck the upright from an attack down the left, with Bulmer diverting Waters’ follow-up behind for a corner with an outstretched leg.

The young York City loanee continued to have a heroic end to the contest, tipping an effort from range over the bar on the brink of stoppage time, before blocking Waters’ point-blanc effort at the death to take all the plaudits he deserved, whilst securing Redcar an all important three points.

Attendance: 219.

Redcar Goal Scorers: Sonni Coleman (32), Alfie Conway (68).