NELSON's FA Vase run came to an end in the first round against Dunston Federation Brewery at Victoria Park.

It was the Blues' third game in the competition, having already put out Curzon Ashton and Evenwood Town in the preliminary rounds and they were a shade unlucky not to get at least a replay from this match.

Nelson made a good start and hardly gave their visitors a look-in early on with Glen Little, Dave Gray and Lee Coldridge having chances to open the scoring.

Andy Haworth and Stuart Mulligan were bossing the midfield and Dunston, from the Northern League First Division, were made to look second best.

However, as the visitors settled they began to show touches of class especially around the Nelson penalty area and Blues keeper Billy Carrington denied Ben Thompson with a vital tackle after the Dunston centre forward slipped through the home defence on 27 minutes.

Nelson's best build-up of the first half came after 38 minutes when Glen Little and Carl Howarth combined, but the final ball to Dave Gray was hacked clear from the goalmouth by defender Michael Farrey to deny the Blues a goal.

Mick Charlton rescued Nelson with a goal line clearance after Carrington was drawn out of position, but the Blues keeper distinguished himself with some good saves in the second half when the visitors began to look stronger.

Nelson matched their opponents in an open game and might well have snatched a goal as several chances went begging, but a period of pressure by the visitors paid off after 75 minutes.

Darren Sankey broke into the Nelson penalty area to the left of goal and as Carrington came out to meet him, he fired his shot under the diving keeper and into the net to give Dunston the lead.

Five minutes later Nelson came close to an equaliser, when Mark Smith's powerful header was blocked in a crowded penalty area, but time ran out for the Blues as the visitors held on strongly in the closing stages.

Nelson's next game is on tomorrow, kick off 7.45pm at home to Bacup Borough.

NELSON...0 DUNSTON...1