Two second half goals from Robbie Spence and Daniel Moore were not enough, as a late goal from Aleksandrs Starcenko sealed the three points for the Tigers.

The Hornets started the game looking most likely to open the scoring as Joao Gomes and Daniel Savage’s good play in the second minute, created an immediate impact on the pitch. Savage got a shot away, but the ball went inches past Tommy Taylor’s goal.

The Hornets continued to drive at the Worksop defence, but could not find the breakthrough to take the lead within the first 10 minutes.

In the 11th minute, Worksop appealed for a penalty after the ball struck a Hebburn defender, but the referee waved away the appeals and the play continued.

With clear chances from both sides, it was the Tigers who took the lead in the 17th minute. Aaron Martin put a pinpoint cross into the lad’s box, and Starcenko rose above Jack Donaghy to put the away side ahead.

The lads then won a free-kick in the 20th minute. Liam Noble took it quickly and found Donaghy in the box, but his shot didn’t beat Taylor who gathered the ball.

Another chance went the way of the Hornets in the 24th minute as Matthew Elsdon drew a free-kick on the halfway line. Noble took the free-kick quickly and found Purewal in behind the Worksop defence, but he could only fire wide from 12-yards.

The Tigers then doubled their lead in the 30th minute after winning a free-kick outside of our box. Joe Leesley stepped up and fired the ball into the top corner and out of Kieran Hunter’s reach.

Worksop forced two corners within the next couple of minutes, but the lads stood firm as Hunter punched the ball clear.

The Hornets headed into the break with a mountain to climb, knowing they had to overturn a 0-2 deficit.

Elsdon went on a run at the Worksop defence in the 50th minute as he skipped past two players, he played a ball towards Savage, but a Worksop defender intercepted the ball and put it out for a throw-in.

Purewal was fouled by Hamza Bencherif in the 52nd minute on the halfway line as he received an elbow to the face. However, the referee allowed play to continue as Worksop forced a corner. The cross came in, but a foul is given as we win a free-kick.

In the 57th minute, Robbie Spence pulled a goal back. Noble forced a corner, he crossed the ball into the box, which was cleared back to himself, and he crossed the ball back into the box and Spence headed home over Taylor to give us a lifeline.

A first change for the lads saw Joe Walton replaced by Olly Martin on 61 minutes.

On 65 minutes, Noble put another free-kick into the box from halfway, Taylor dropped the ball inside his area and Elsdon looked destined to slot home, but the referee blew for a foul.

A second change for the Hornets is made on 67 minutes as Liam Noble took a rest, with Liam Murray replacing him.

The play between the teams got tense, as both sides played with trepidation. After Purewal was seemingly fouled in the Worksop box in the 70th minute, the Hebburn bench appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved away the appeals.

A minute later, yet again Purewal was fouled in the Tigers box, but the referee waved away the appeals. Moments later, Taylor then pulled off an incredible double save to prevent Gomes scoring an equaliser.

A third change for the lads is made in the 82nd minute as Savage came off and the gaffer, Daniel Moore came on.

Moore made an immediate impact on the pitch as he scored a late equaliser in the 83rd minute! Olly Martin found Moore in the box who volleyed the ball straight into the net from close range.

However, just when the Hornets thought they’d secured another valuable point, Worksop struck at the death.

Aaron Martin powered a shot towards goal which deflected for a corner. Worksop scored from the resulting corner as Starcenko’s volley inside the box, took a wicked deflection on its way into the Hebburn goal.

The referee had indicated a minimum of six additional minutes, although Worksop held out to secure the three points.

The Hornets now turn their attention to Tuesday evening, as they make the journey down to the Towbar Express Stadium, to face Whitby Town.

Att: 403
MOTM: Matthew Elsdon