In a match switched to the 3G pitch at the town's leisure centre, Ponteland United's recent revival continued with a fully deserved third win in a row in all competitions against Stobswood Welfare, a result which sees them climb further away from the relegation zone in the Bay Plastics Northern Alliance Premier Division.

Although the visitors enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the opening 10 minutes, their patient build-up play from the back was easy to defend and the only half-chance fell to club captain Jacob Baker who had a snap-shot from 25 yards blocked in the box.

At the other end, Sam Armstrong curled a free-kick from half-way into the box and the visitors were forced to concede a corner on the right, but Armstrong's resulting delivery drifted behind for a goal-kick.

In their next attack, a great ball from Chris Hibbitt found striker Mason Stephenson in space down the right, but just as he was breaking into the box a well-timed tackle from central defender Brad Little rescued the visitors.

The experienced Niall Codling was in commanding form at the heart of Ponteland's defence, winning everything in the air as crosses peppered the box from both flanks.

A second Ponteland corner was headed clear and, soon after, James Walker's long range effort was parried by keeper Nathan Sharpe away from the danger zone.

On 27 minutes, Stobswood created their best opportunity of the half following a quick-fire break and good link-up play down the left between full back Ross Heckels and Jacob Baker. The final ball picked out striker Robert Baker 10 yards from goal but he could only slice a left-footed volley towards the corner flag.

The hosts made Stobswood pay for that miss by taking the lead on the half-hour mark. A disputed free-kick on the edge of the centre circle in opposition territory was expertly delivered by Armstrong into the box where it was brought under control by centre forward Dan Hadfield who turned and fired home despite Sharpe getting his hands to it (1-0).

Soon after the re-start, Codling rose highest in the six-yard box to deal with a dangerous cross from centre forward Andrew Murray.

Ponteland came again through Matty Oakes and Hadfield who combined well down the right before the ball was cut back to Armstrong. His shot was deflected behind for a corner and, from the resulting delivery, Walker had a 20 yard effort blocked.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium at both ends in the closing stages of the half and the hosts went into the break with their slender lead intact.

Stobswood started the second half on the front foot and were back on level terms in the 51st minute. After being a virtual spectator since kick-off, home keeper Jenner was at full stretch to acrobatically tip over Jacob Baker's 25 yard free-kick for a corner. However, the respite was only temporary as Luke Baston's quality set-piece delivery into the six-yard box picked out an unmarked Robert Baker and the 35-year-old striker guided a header inside Jenner's right-hand post (1-1).

The hosts quickly recovered from that setback and within four minutes were back in front. Stephenson's persistence down the left side of the box forced the visitors to concede a corner from which Armstrong's delivery was flicked on by Codling to Hadfield who knocked it home from close range (2-1).

After going behind for a second time, Stobswood stepped up a gear in search of an equaliser. Jacob Baker's long range strike was parried by Jenner before being gathered at the second attempt, a free-kick from the left touchline was headed over by Robert Baker under pressure from a defender, and two corners in quick succession resulted in efforts being deflected then blocked as the hosts' slender lead remained intact.

They came again on 76 minutes and a defensive mix-up allowed a routine long ball into the box to drop for Murray who saw his effort blocked for a corner.

A few minutes later at the other end, Hadfield picked up a loose ball in the box and his chip over the keeper appeared to be going in before drifting agonisingly wide of Sharpe's right-hand post with Stephenson unable to hook it back.

Baston then looked as though he was tripped just outside the Ponteland box but nothing was given. Despite enjoying plenty of the ball in opposition territory as full-time approached, the visitors lacked a cutting edge with Jenner not seriously tested.

On 92 minutes, Hadfield won the ball mid-way inside the Stobswood half before holding off a defender as he drifted right towards the corner flag before cutting back into the box from the byline and was brought down with referee Richard Gray pointing straight to the spot.

Several Stobswood players confronted Gray in the aftermath of his decision and were quite rightly booked for their vociferous protests.

After a delay of two minutes, Chris Hibbitt stepped up to dispatch the penalty as coolly as you like in the bottom corner to the right of Sharpe before wheeling way to celebrate (3-1).

This capped a miserable afternoon for the visitors and stretched their winless run in all competitions to seven games.

In contrast, a resurgent Ponteland United will be looking to book a place in the semi-finals of the Reeves Investment Services George Dobbins League Cup with a fourth win in a row at home to First Division rivals North Shields Athletic FC on Saturday.