Second Half fightback just failed to claim a point.

Goals from Bobby Rye (5 mins) and Elliott Beddow (25 mins) gave the visitors a 2-0 half time lead. The Star pulled a goal back through Lewis Suddick in the 60^th minute and despite laying siege on the Thornaby goal were unable to add a second which would have brough a much deserved point.

The Star opened the game well and two early attacks saw the visiting keeper have to deal with efforts from Johnson and McRoberts. Thornaby’s first attack saw Rye in space in the penalty area and his well struck shot flew past Andy Jennison. The visitors controlled the midfield in the early stages and were causing the Seaham defence a few problems with Hutchinson and Beddow looking lively, and it was left to Jennison to keep the forwards at bay with a number of fine stops.

The most controversial point of the game occurred in the 24^th minute, Seaham’s Johnson was clearly taken out by Frazier at the edge of the Thornaby area but referee Mr Williams ignored the challenge and allowed Thornaby to break clear with the ball, Poole found Beddow in the clear and the striker went on to score to give Thornaby a 2-0 lead. The decision stunned the Star who were lucky to get to the break only 2 down.

A determined Red Star kicked off the second period and took the game to the visitors, Thornaby were not allowed to settle on the ball and the Star tactics paid dividends when Lewis Suddick fired home from 18 yards with half an hour to go. Thornaby were reduced to 10 men when Austin Johnson received a second yellow card. Seaham introduced Blackburn and Sullivan in an effort to get an equaliser and Blackburn went close on a number of occasions. The Stars best chance went begging when a free kick from Waite was missed by everyone and drifted just wide of the post.

The Star had the ball in the last minute when a deep cross from McRoberts was palmed by the visiting keeper under pressure from Blackburn and put in by Johnson, but Mr Williams had blown for an infringement before blowing the final whistle.

Full Time 1-2

Seaham Red Star: Jennison, Lawrence, Hailes J, Henderson, Hawkins, Tumilty (Waite), McRoberts, Gardiner (Sullivan), Johnson, Richardson (Blackburn), Suddick.

Unused subs: Lawson, Morland