Chester le Street Town went into this game with a severely depleted squad , only 11 regular players able to make the starting line up, with players missing due to injury, and work commitments. Youngster Connor Eden again being brought in from the U18 squad and named a substitute, having made his debut against Brandon the previous Wednesday
The Cestrians started brightly and took the lead on 14 mins when Andrew Clarkson headed home a cross from Michael Hepplewhite. Dan Smith for Crook was causing the Cestrians some concerns with foraging runs and crosses into the box which keeper Jack Wilson handled with confidence. Right on half time Clarkson again got in a good header from a Danny Naylor cross only to hit the base of the post and rebound to safety. Crook took the game to Chester le Street in the second half as they searched for the points that would make their position in Div2 safe from relegation and they equalised on 64 mins when Dan Smith took a quick free kick to catch the Chester le Street Players sleeping and from his shot which hit the post they equalised when Adam Lee-Shield hit home the rebound
Chester le Street had chances themselves as they broke away on a couple of occasions but the efforts were handled by the Crook defence and in the end a draw was a welcome point
Team: Wilson, Stephenson,King, Naylor ( Eden) ,Walker, Lyon,McGuire, Megran, Clarkson, Hepplewhite (M), Iley Subs : Peck, Eden, Mole
Attendance : 120
Match Officials: D Wylam, K Baron, A Morton