By Glen Robertson
Newton Aycliffe’s inconsistent start to the campaign continued with a defeat away at Newcastle Benfield.
Days after coming from behind three times to beat Guisborough 4-3 at Moore Lane Park the Royal Blues led twice only to be the ones who conceded four.
Things looked to be going well in the 21st minute when Danny Mellanby bundled in from close range after Stephen Salvin’s header was cleared off the line and James Oliver’s follow-up hit the crossbar.
But the lead was cut out three minutes before half-time when Paul Brayson, who had been denied by Dan Molyneux a minute earlier, crossed for Lewis Horner to tap-in at the back post.
Allan Oliver’s team-talk worked wonders at the break as Martin Young put the Newtonians back in the lead immediately after the break, coolly slotting home after a brilliant one-two with Danny Earl.
Again, the hosts hit back as Brayson skipped past a couple of challenges on the edge of the area before curling in from 20 yards out.
Benfield took the lead for the first time with 14 minutes left on the clock as Brayson smashed in after Stephen Tobin’s header bounced back off the post.
And three minutes it was game over when Carl Patterson squeezed an effort in at the near post following a corner, before James Luccock was denied a fifth in the dying minutes as his shot rebounded back off the post.
Aycliffe have a quick opportunity to bounce back from the setback as they travel to Tow Law Town in the Durham Challenge Cup on Tuesday night.