STEAVENS THE HERO FOR DUNSTON, BUT BOTH TEAMS IN THE PLAYOFFS AFTER PONTEFRACT BEAT BELPER

Carlton Town have hailed their own outstanding keeper Felix Annan on plenty of occasions this season, but as Dunston visited Stoke Lane on Tuesday night, the Millers had to hold their hands up and salute outstanding Dunston keeper Aaron Steavens, who pulled off two wonderfull second half saves to ensure the points went to Dunston on a massive night of Northern Premier East League Football.

Dunston who have failed to beat the Millers in 3 previous attempts finally got the better of the home side at Stoke Lane making a great start, capitalising on poor Carlton defending to go into a 2-0 lead, but a superb individual goal from Khyle Sargent just before the interval set up a fascinating second half.

Millers Chairman Mick Garton was connected up with Pontefract Chairman Trevor Waddington by Mad Gav who told the Millers Chairman that they were beating Belper 2-0 and were in control of their game at that point and that on the night was good news for Carlton.

The second half saw Carlton lay siege early doors to the Dunston goal, but they were unable to force an equaliser and when Dunston had stemmed the flow, it was then who retook control of the game and added a third following a corner.

At 3-1 down, Carlton came again and it was during this spell late on, that Dunston keeper Steavens made his two unbelievable saves to prevent the Millers from getting back into the game.

News came through that Belper had lost 3-0 at Pontefract and the Millers despite going down 3-1 during what was their 5th game in 11 days will now finish 5th, whatever happens on Saturday when Carlton visit Brighouse.

Massive credit to both sides and indeed Pontefract for reaching the playoffs, no mean feat in this tough league and the only twist on the night proved to be at top of the table Hebburn as they went down 1-0 to lowly Ossett, the battle for the title goes down to the last game with Hebburn with a one point lead away at Sheffield and Stockton away at out of form Belper Town and both teams with a goal difference of plus 43.

Drama indeed and although Carlton’s immediate focus will be to try and beat Brighouse on Saturday, next Tuesday 30th April, Carlton will meet either Hebburn or Stockton in the North East in the Semi Final with a place away from home again up for grabs in a potential final next Saturday 4th May against either Dunston or Pontefract Collieries.

Beating either Hebburn or Stockton away from home will be a tough ask indeed, but at least Carlton are back at the top table 12 years on from their last playoff visit when they lost Leek on penalties at Stoke Lane and 12 months on from stopping up on the last day of the season in 2023.

Alan Murphy representing Carlton Town Tv spoke to Tommy Brookbanks (pictured) at length after the game and the interview below is in 2 parts.