Hebburn Town claimed an eighth consecutive win against North East neighbours Morpeth Town.

Morpeth Town manager Craig Lynch bemoaned his side’s misfortune after they fell to an agonising defeat at in-form Hebburn Town.

The injury hit Highwaymen appeared to be on their way to securing a valuable point after Nic Ballad cancelled out an early penalty from Hebburn striker Gary Martin. Parity remained in place until second-half injury-time when Morpeth were dealt a cruel blow as a shot from Hornets captain Aidan Heywood struck the post before deflecting into the net via the back of on-loan Sunderland goalkeeper Isaac Allan.

Gary Martin scores from the penalty spot in Hebburn Town's 2-1 home win against Morpeth Town (photo Tyler Lopes) | Tyler Lopes

placeholder image — Gary Martin scores from the penalty spot in Hebburn Town's 2-1 home win against Morpeth Town (photo Tyler Lopes) | Tyler Lopes

In a season that has seen Lynch dealt a number of blows, the Morpeth boss admitted the circumstances behind Hebburn’s last-gasp winner ‘summed up’ where his side are at during a difficult season.

He told The Gazette: “It sums us up doesn't it? Luck is not on our side. We have lost Sam Hodgson for the season, we lost Luke James for a few weeks, we’ve lost JJ Hooper to Bishop Auckland and we had to bring a goalkeeper on up front in Dan Langley. That’s where we are at. Imagine Sunderland or Newcastle bringing on a goalkeeper up front tomorrow.

“It could have been five-nil at half-time, we rode our luck, we got back in but that’s football. I thought we were going to nick a point but it just wasn’t meant to be and that’s summed up where we are at right now.”

Morpeth now have a free fortnight to prepare for their Boxing Day visit to Premier Division rivals Whitby Town.

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