MILLOM took another step towards promotion from National Conference League Division Three as they followed up their derby-day victory over Barrow Island with a brilliant second-half performance in a 32-8 win at home to Gateshead Storm.

Gateshead were the first to strike after Ethan Bickerdike knocked on straight from the kick-off and, from the resulting set, Danny Chetwynde dived over in the corner. The conversion was missed.

The visitors continued to dominate and they considered themselves unlucky when they had a try ruled out for a forward pass.

The pressure continued to build on Millom and they cracked once more when, on 25 minutes, Andy Morris finished off a clever chip kick over the Millom line. The conversion was again missed.

The Woollybacks had received the wake-up call they needed and responded immediately through a powerful drive over the line by Ethan Kelly, although Lee Postlethwaite could not convert.

The Woolybacks then crossed again before half-time, when Dom O’Brien hit the perfect line to score. Postlethwaite converted this time and Millom had turned it around to lead 10-8 at half-time.

The second half was much better than the first for the home side, as they managed to keep the visitors scoreless and rack up points themselves.

Millom started the scoring on 50 minutes when man-of-the-match Hanley Dawson eased past defenders to touch down.

Tyler Lancaster was the next to cross when he eased past defenders out wide to score, followed by Postlethwaite converting and edging the lead out to 20-8.

Gateshead then had a try disallowed when the player who dived over in the corner put his foot into touch.

It proved to be their last opportunity of the game as Millom increased the pressure to score two more further tries.

Connor Terrill, who has recently been selected for Scotland Under-19s, scored from close-range off the back of constant attack from Millom, and then Adam Kelly also crossed from close-range, both tries converted by Postlethwaite.