Jarrow manager Dave Bell proud with win over Northern League Division Two promotion rivals Ryton and Crawcrook Albion

The hosts went into the game sat in the fourth and final promotion place in the Division Two table, but they found themselves two goals down inside the opening quarter of an hour.

Jarrow striker Glen Hargrave wasted little time in making an impact on the game as he put his side ahead with just three minutes on the clock.

And he would double his tally to put his side firmly in control with a clinical finish just before the quarter-hour mark.

Albion halved the deficit in the closing-stages of the first half as Callum Turnbull scored from the penalty spot – but they were unable to find an equaliser throughout a fairly even second half.

The win means that Jarrow still lie nine points shy of the promotion places – although they do hold two games in hand over Saturday’s opponents.

After the game, Bell lauded his side’s performance and revealed his pride at taking all three points from their visit to Kingsley Park.

He told The Gazette: “We controlled the first half until what I would say was one of the most controversial decisions I have seen when the referee awarded a penalty when a ball hit Jordan Mellish’s hand.

“They scored from that and it gave them a massive lift. It was a very frustrating decision because Ryton were not in the game up to that point.

“During the second half we looked the more dangerous side and our defensive play was excellent all round.

“We had a number of chances and we were unlucky not to put the game beyond Ryton’s reach. We are massively proud of the lads because they were excellent in tricky conditions and we feel we deserved the win.

“It was vital that we won this one and the lads were brilliant.”

Jarrow now have the rare luxury of a free midweek – but they will return to action on Friday night when Easington Colliery are the visitors to Perth Green.