The Pitmen's impressive home league record came to a stuttering halt this afternoon, as once again North Ferriby United came, saw and conquered Keys Park, their second win at the ground this year as they continued to have the Indian Sign over the Pitmen

 

With Asa Charlton going back to AFC Telford United this week, manager Dean Edwards brought in the experienced Scott Stamps at left-back in one of two changes as goalkeeper Stuart Brock also returned to action after his injury at Cammell Laird. The only other change from the side that won against Ashton United was on the bench, where Chris Morris's loan move to Stourbridge saw the home side only name four substitutes

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Ferriby - languishing in mid-table - had not played in the past two weeks, having beaten Buxton 4-2 at Grange Lane two Saturdays previously. The Villagers had been a thorn in recent Hednesford sides and had beaten the Pitmen in three of the four games between the two sides over the last two seasons and drawing the other game

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Having won all five games at home this term, the Pitmen had every right to feel confident going into the game. However, off-the-field changes at Keys Park have rocked the club in recent days, with supporters hoping that would not transfer onto the pitch

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A bright start from the Pitmen saw them create a number of half-chances in the first ten minutes. Top scorer Tyrone Barnett had to improvise early on to divert Sean Platt's misguided shot towards goal, flicking the ball with his heel as it headed across goal. However, he failed to get a firm enough contact on the ball, and it was easily saved by keeper Steve Wilson

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Ross Dyer, in desperate need of a goal to spark his season again, was trying his hardest to break his mini-slump in front of goal. He managed to get past his marker on fifteen minutes but dragged his shot well wide of goal

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He was involved again three minutes later, clashing with Ferriby's Sam Denton as he chased a through ball. Denton conceded a corner, but fell awkwardly and was stretchered off

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Elliott Durrell, who had fired three goals in the last three games, was looking to continue his run in front of goal and went close with what appears to be a trademark shot of his, hitting a firm rising shot from the edge of the area that beat Wilson, but also the crossbar

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For North Ferriby, there was very little in the way of an attacking threat. With veteran striker Steve Torpey on the bench, it was left to Hednesford's tormentor-in-chief in recent seasons, Gary Bradshaw, to take the fight to the Pitmen. However, he was well shackled by the impressive trio of Decio Gomes, Tom Marshall and Danny Harvey

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There was a nervy moment for Wilson five minutes before the break when he raced out of his goal to claim a ball on the edge of his box. In beating Dyer to the ball, he handled outside the box, with many feeling a red card was imminent. However, the referee only gave the keeper a yellow card for his misdemeanour

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It almost felt that Ferriby were happy to sit back during the first period and allow the Pitmen to come and play in front of them, as their play going forward was sporadic. This changed in the second half, as they emerged with more attacking threat. Bradshaw got the Villagers' first shot on target three minutes after the break, which was well marshalled by Brock

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The Pitmen responded with a header from the hard-working Barnett that dipped over the bar after he got on the end of a cross from Platt

Ross Draper was enjoying an excellent game in midfield and was a major reason as to why North Ferriby had failed to test Brock seriously. He and Gomes had once again stood out in a game where the forward players had failed to fire

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Indeed, it was left to the other two central defenders to create the Pitmen's best chance of the game twenty-two minutes from the end. Marshall picked up the ball and crossed for Harvey to head towards goal, but watched as a Ferriby defender got back to clear the ball off the line

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On came Torpey to add a physical threat to the Ferriby forward line with twenty minutes left. He very nearly snatched a goal as soon as he came on, just missing a free-kick that was whipped in towards him

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The visitors were clearly lifted by the Pitmen's inability to create a clear-cut opening and snatched the lead with twelve minutes remaining. Former Scunthorpe striker Torpey grabbed it, heading home from a corner on the left-hand side at the far post

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The Pitmen, stung by the goal, looked to grab an instant reply, with Barnett heading over a cross from substitute Chad Sheppard. He headed another chance narrowly wide of goal after Dyer's ball to substitute Anthony Maguire allowed him to cross for Barnett

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In their haste to grab an equaliser, the Pitmen left holes at the back, and in the first minute of added time, Bradshaw claimed yet another goal against Hednesford, sidefooting home from close range after being set up by Andy Jackson

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The unbeaten run was never going to last forever, but the worrying aspect of this defeat was how easily the Pitmen caved in after failing to find the net in the first half. They could have claimed top spot with a win but looked anything like a top side on this display. With a difficult trip to the much-fancied Boston United on Tuesday night, Dean Edwards will need a different approach from his side as they look to return to winning ways at York Street

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Hednesford Town: Brock, Platt, Stamps (Sheppard 85), Gomes, Harvey, Marshall, Briggs, Durrell (Maguire 74), Barnett, Dyer, Draper ©       Subs Unused: Hall, O'Reilly

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North Ferriby United: Wilson ▆, Cooke, Frizzell, Chapman, Denton (Foster 18), Morley, Jackson, Fry, Davidson (Torpey 71), Bradshaw, Larvin (Hunter 90)      Subs Unused: Russell, Wilberforce

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