Late strike again costs Hexham

But it was not long before Jamie MacManee (pictured below left) opened the scoring and what a cracking goal it was, from way out on the right wing he found himself in space and one look saw the keeper off his line and with great vision he placed his lofty shot over Wakefield's head and into the far corner of the goal.

That knocked the wind out of the sail of Swalwell and Hexham really took control. Luke Parkinson had two good attempts on goal one of which shaved the keeper's left hand post. In the first half Hexham had even more chances one falling to Michael Robson, after a decent ball across the face of the box from Parkinson found Robson steaming in just outside the area, but the finished effort did not do the approach play justice as he failed to connect properly and the shot went wide.

Hexham had been in control and should have put the match beyond doubt by the time thirty minutes had passed but the decisive goals did not materialise. As the half wore on Swalwell regained their composure and started to play themselves back into the match and by half time Hexham knew that they were in a game. The pace from the midfield and wingers was causing concern, which would need to be addressed in the second period.

The second half was a much tighter affair with both sides having time on the ball and trying to create chances but both goalkeepers were untroubled by any serious attempt on goal. Hexham were restricted to set pieces where Gavin Cox tried his best to convert corners and free kicks that had been directed into the box but there was no reward for his actions.

At the other end Swalwell would not give up and consistently kept probing looking for that equalising goal, luckily for Hexham man of the match Graeme Turner was having none of that and kept the back line secure. In the gathering gloom it looked like the home side would run down the clock and happily accept the points.

As the match went into added time it could have been nerves as they were so close to that win but the ball was lost just inside the Hexham half and was immediately fed out to the left wing . At this point there was no apparent danger, but using their tremendous pace the ball was quickly passed across the face of the Hexham defence.

Michael Bell was in a perfect position and he struck the ball with tremendous pace and accuracy into the far right corner of the goal giving Hexham keeper Sean Heads no chance. The look on the faces of the Hexham team said it all- how could this happen again as the clock was in the third minute of injury time.

In the dressing room after the game Hexham was more like a defeated team that was rueing missed chances but they only had themselves to blame. Swalwell will feel like they deserved their share of the spoils as the work rate and pace of the side all afternoon was impressive, but if Hexham want to move up the table teams are going to be have to finished off or this will keep on happening when they come and bite back late on.