Late flurry sees Hednesford Town record successive league victories

A late rally featuring three goals in the final five minutes finally settled the outcome, writes Scott Smith.

The home side started strongly and just over 60 seconds had gone when the first chance arrived. A header back across the box hit Paul Sullivan and found its way into the grateful hands of Workington goalkeeper Danijel Nizic.

Jamey Osborne then saw a 20-yard shot easily saved before drifting a free-kick just over the bar – all inside the opening five minutes.

Hednesford continued to attack at will and almost scored in the 11th minute when the lively Sullivan saw his 25-yard shot hit a post and bounce away to safety.

However, the home side finally netted in the 19th minute when Osborne was played through by new boy Danny Glover and delicately dinked the ball over the Reds' keeper.

Town should have been further ahead when Sullivan went clear after 23 minutes, only to be denied by Nizic.

The home side had numerous half-chances to stamp their authority on the game but were unable to take them with the visitors offering little threat at the other end.

The longer it stayed at 1-0, though, the more chance the bottom side had of grabbing something and Hednesford were indebted to goalkeeper Dan Crane in the 59th minute when he denied the breaking Josef Jackson.

Rob Smith tried to freshen things up and one of his substitutes, Michael Lennon, almost grabbed a second for the home side in the 79th minute, only to see his shot scrambled away.

Just when it looked as if Town might be in for a nervy final five minutes, Osborne was able to grab his second goal of the game. Nizic spilled a free-kick and the ball fell to the midfielder who exquisitely lifted his shot over everyone inside the area and into the net.

A gloss was put on the scoreline in the final throes as substitute Marvin Robinson got on the end of Lennon's cross to head home from inside the six-yard box after 88 minutes.

Robinson then slotted home his second from the edge of the box after his first effort had been well blocked.

The referee's assistant flagged for offside, but was over-ruled by the man on the whistle.

These final few minutes completed a resounding victory for the Pitmen – and one that was especially welcome as it was their first clean sheet since December 17 last year.

Hednesford will now be aiming to make it three wins on the bounce as they head to former Football League side Stockport County next weekend.