On Monday last the long talked-of match between David Mehan and John Dinon, 130 yards, for £25 aside, came off on the Hill End race-course. This match was brought about after a great deal of "barneying" between the men themselves and their partisans, as to the relative capabilities of each as a pedestrian....There was not much wagering up to the day of the race, each side seeming doubtful of the tactics of the other. On Monday, however, rumours were afloat that Dinon had done a trial in extraordinarily quick time, and a corresponding anxiety on the part of his backers to "get on" seemed to substantiate this. Davey, however, although he commenced to train long after his opponent, was going well, and those who were acquainted with the indomitable pluck he has shewn in all his races were not backward in supporting the “little-un.” Both stripped in very good condition, though Dinon, having taken a much longer time to prepare himself, was certainly the “pinker”' of the two.

They got away to a splendid start, and for the first hundred yards the pace was a rattler Dinon gradually forging ahead until he led by over a yard when 100 yards had been covered. At this point, however, Davey put on a spurt, and Dinon tiring perceptibly in the last few yards, the former gradually gained on his man, finishing with a tremendous effort, and the pair breasted the handkerchief so close together that it was impossible to separate them, the referee pronouncing it a dead heat...

After fully an hour's delay, the men again appeared on the scratch, and both made a false start, only going a stride or two, however, before they were summoned back by the starter. At length the pistol was fired, and Mehan started simultaneously with the report but Dinon either through not being ready, from confusion at finding his opponent jump away with the lead, or for some inexplicable reason made no attempt to leave the scratch. Mehan accordingly ran the distance, and claimed the stakes. [The Hill End Times, Feb 19, 1873]