Histon relegated after defeat to Consett AFC in Step 4 play-off
Histon suffered relegation after a 2-1 defeat at home to Consett AFC in the Inter-Step Play-off.
The Stutes trailed to goals from Scott Heslop and Daniel Marriott either side of half time, before an effort from Luke Lindsay gave Histon hope of a late comeback, however, they were unable to find an equaliser.
There was an early chance for Consett's James Martin, whose scuffed effort was saved by Histon keeper Sam Roach.
But Histon created chances, and Ed Rolph fired wide and also went close with a header.
Consett may consider themselves a bit lucky not to be reduced to 10 men in the 42nd minute. Ryan Towner looked to break clear from halfway only to be taken out by the visitors' Lewis Green, but he was not deemed to be the last man and so was just shown a yellow by referee Jack Willmore.
Two minutes later, the visitors took the lead.
A long ball by Daniel Capewell behind the Histon defence set Scott Heslop away to finish past Roach into the far corner.
The challenge got even harder for Histon at the start of the second half.
Ollie Brookes misjudged the path of the ball and Consett's Daniel Marriott seized possession to burst into the area before finishing off past the advancing Roach.
With an uphill battle ahead, Histon got on the front foot to dominate in terms of territory, but they were just struggling to test Consett keeper Kyle Hayes.
Finley Wilkinson curled an effort just over the bar, and that was the closest they went until the 73rd minute.
A corner was flicked on at the near post, and substitute Luke Lindsay arrived at the back post to slam home.
In the 85th minute, another corner saw Ryan Towner have a chance blocked and then in a game of pinball in the six-yard box, the final chance fell to Rolph, who was crowded out.
A minute later, Wilkinson fired into the side netting for Histon.
Seven minutes were added on at the end of the game, but Histon just struggled to get a foot on the ball to be able to create any chances.
There was one last chance for Histon, and it felt to Lindsay at the back post, but Hayes pulled off a good save to keep the hosts at bay, and with that chance went the final whisle.
It means that Histon, who had finished 18th in the Northern Premier League, Midlands Division table, have been relegated from Step 4 after a Covid-interrupted three years.
Histon: Roach, Lewis, Bexfield, Smith, York, Brookes, Rolph, Towner, Wilkinson, Muyembe, Ballester.
Substitutes: Camara (Bexfield, 13), Lindsay (Ballester, 62), Cole (Smith, 83). Subs not used: Ramirez, Collison.
Consett AFC: Hayes, Cassidy, Martin Green, Slocombe, Capewell, Marriott, Orrell, Heslop, Carr, Pearson.
Substitutes: Dowson (Heslop, 56), Lawson (Carr, 83), Scott (Green, 89) Subs not used: Francis, Coombe.
Referee: Jack Willmore.
