Brad Forster’s 84th minute goal proved the difference between the sides, and it lifts Easington above Horden in the league with two games in hand.

On a wet and gloomy early afternoon at Easington Welfare Park, the weather had an impact on the attendance, but a healthy crowd of 303 still turned out to watch the East Durham Derby.

With both sides battling for a spot in the playoffs, it was a very important game for both sides, and that was reflected in a somewhat tentative game.

Upon kick-off, it was a battle. Horden put a few strong early challenges in, and that was about all worthy of note early on.

The game’s first shot didn’t arrive until the 32nd minute when Joe Osborne blazed well over for Horden.

In the 45th minute, Horden created the only real chance of the first half, and it proved to be their best chance of the game. Liam Wright was picked out on the left and he cut in to shoot, but James Hopkinson produced a good save.

It was goalless at the break, and there wasn’t much action to reflect on from the first 45.

Although better than the first, the second half still wasn’t exactly thrilling.

Easington created a few half chances early in the second half. Callum Guy and Mark Davison both shot wide for the Green Army, while a penalty shout was waved away as James Fairley was brought down in the area.

The second half was somewhat stop-start, but Easington seemed to be gaining a slight bit of control on the game as it wore on.

Horden’s chances were limited, and Easington were seeing more of the ball without creating any chances.

The decisive goal arrived in the 84th minute. Fairley whipped a free-kick into the penalty area and it bounced around before dropping to captain Forster who smashed the ball into the net.

Now ahead, Easington managed to game well to pick up all three points in the East Durham Derby.

Full-time: Easington Colliery 1-0 Horden Community Welfare

Easington Colliery: Hopkinson, Kenney, Nelson, Trewick, Bott, Forster (c), Tapping (Fryatt, 46′), Guy (Stanton, 89′), Davison, Fairley, Weirs (Pearn, 77′)

Unused subs: Hunter, Ford

Horden Community Welfare: Fletcher, Dobinson (Fowler, 65′), Kieran Campbell (James, 84′), Flounders, Riding, Kidson, Taylor Campbell, Wallace, Pounder (c) (Doughty, 86′), Osborne, Wright

Unused subs: Bird, Braithwaite

Attendance: 303

Referee: Billy Morgan