By Glen Robertson
Danny Earl scored a dramatic late-winner as Newton Aycliffe gained a measure of revenge against Guisborough Town following the weekend’s FA Vase defeat against the same opponents.
Earl completed his hat-trick in the last minute of normal-time to give the Royal Blues a first win in seven attempts in all competitions and move them up to ninth in the Northern League Division One table.
Guisborough were looking to inflict a second defeat in five days on the Newtonians at Moore Lane Park and took an early lead as Dan Johnson arrowed in a left-footed free-kick from the edge of the area in the 15th minute.
Jamie Owens levelled five minutes later with a clinical finish from close range, but Guisborough re-took the lead as Lewis Wood charged down a clearance and sent the ball looping over Dan Molyneux.
The excellent Martin Young was unlucky to see his flashing cross miss everyone in the middle before he hit the post from long range as Guisborough held on till half time.
Earl levelled shortly after the break as Owens’ knock-down was bundled in from close range by the former Billingham Synthonia man.
But Guisborough were soon ahead for a third time as Johnson fired in his second of the contest.
Earl pegged them back once more with a deflected shot before Wood was sent on his way for foul and abusive language.
Aycliffe pressed for a winner and it arrived just before the game entered injury-time, when Young released Owens who forced a save from the Guisborough goalkeeper but Earl was on hand to lash home the rebound and spark wild celebrations from players and supporters alike.