Hednesford Town blow three-goal lead to lose away
Hednesford Town let a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 on a chaotic night at Stalybridge Celtic.
The Pitmen, who the following morning appointed former Stratford Town boss Gavin Hurren as their new manager, raced into a three-goal lead in the first half in Greater Manchester.
But by half-time the top-half hosts had sensationally restored parity with three goals in nine minutes.
The second half was a far less busy affair but Brandon Newell headed in a dramatic winner 14 minutes from time in a Northern Premier One West classic.
Visitors Hednesford were 3-0 to the good inside 35 minutes thanks to Manny Doku's early double and an effort from Joel Taylor.
The Pitmen were purring and a lovely flowing move ended in Omar Holness' cute ball into the box as Taylor nodded in for a third and what looked like it might have been game over.
But Celtic had other ideas and Max Leonard pulled one back immediately before Newell's first of the clash five minutes before half-time.
Hednesford thought they were up at the interval but Leonard ran through to drill in a finish to equalise for 3-3.
The hosts continued to push in the second period and the managerless Pitmen were eventually undone by Newell's header.
Hednesford are 14th and five points off fifth with a number of games in hand on rivals. Boss Hurren's first game on Saturday is at fourth-placed Trafford.
