Morpeth Town dented the Hornets play-off aspirations last night, as goals in either half from Fenton John and a brace from Jack Foalle put the Highwaymen 3-0 up, but despite late goals from Amar Purewal and Aidan Heywood, it wasn’t enough to salvage a draw.

The Hornets started the game looking more likely to open the scoring as Joao Gomes blasted a shot over in the third minute.

However, this thrust began to prove inadequate, and as the game progressed, Morpeth took an early lead as striker John slid the ball past goalkeeper Kieran Hunter in the eighth minute to put the Highwaymen ahead.

Despite trailing, Hebburn increased the momentum and created many chances, most notably in the 12th minute, when a good counter attack resulted in a shrewd cross by Heywood, but fell short of the goal and into the hands of Morpeth’s keeper, Dan Langley.

Over the duration of the first half, Hebburn created countless chances to score, with a decisive cross from Olly Martin that was intended for Purewal in the 24th minute, went inches past Langley’s near post.

Additionally, another chance fell to Purewal a minute later as Joe Walton crossed the ball into the talisman striker, but it went agonisingly inches past Langley’s post again.

The 39th minute saw Morpeth double their lead, as Foalle lobbed the ball over Hunter, leaving the keeper with no chance.

Chances were then far and between as the referee blew his whistle to signal half-time, leaving the Hornets a mountain to climb.

Daniel Moore looked to his bench as he made a double substitution in the 46th minute as Arron Thompson and Martin were replaced by Paul Van-Zandvliet and Liam Murray.

However, just like the first half, Hebburn were struggling to find that decisive breakthrough, and it was evident in the 46th minute which saw Heywood narrowly missing the goal, as his shot flew over the bar.

This was followed by Murray’s attempt on goal in the 48th minute, which fell short of the target.

The Hornets were pressing Morpeth hard to get back in the game, and in the 60th minute, Dan Savage passed the ball into Purewal in the box, but instead of finding a teammate with a pass, he scuffed the ball out for a goal kick.

The Highwaymen then scored their third goal on 68 minutes with there 3rd shot of the night as Foalle scored a volley outside the box, that went past Hunter to put his side further ahead.

Moore instantly responded by making another double change in the 70th minute, as Bailey Adamson and Joe Posthill replaced Gomes and Liam Noble.

The substitutions were of great effect, as a fast counter-attack in the 81st minute, saw a brilliant pass to Purewal at the far post, and he gave the Hornets a lifeline as he slotted the ball past Langley on his 150th start for the club.

Moore opted to use his final substitution in the 88th minute as Walton was replaced by Gildo Da Silva.

The hopes for a Hebburn comeback were boosted in the 90th minute, after a brilliant pass found Heywood, who curled one into the top corner and out of Langley’s reach to pull another goal back.

In the 90th minute, the referee indicated a minimum of five minutes added time, but Morpeth defended their box with their lives and held on to the three points.

Attendance: 310

Man of the Match: Daniel Savage

By Adam Ingoe