Match Report: Darlington 1-1 South Shields

South Shields picked up a point on the road in a 1-1 draw against Darlington on Good Friday.

Jack Maskell’s seventh minute opener was cancelled out by Will Jenkins’ leveller in the 36th minute to secure the draw.

It is a result which leaves Elliott Dickman’s side in 17th place in the Vanarama National League North table, with just two games remaining of their 2024/25 campaign. 

Dillon Morse started the game, after a positive reception to returning from injury recently, and the long-serving defender was afforded the chance to put in a solid shift out there.

Shields almost had the dream start when Paul Blackett netted just four minutes into the game, but unfortunately for the forward, the offside flag was up. 

Just a few minutes later, things took a turn for the worse - despite their reasonable start - and Maskell gave the hosts the lead. 

The young attacker lifted ex-Mariner Cedric Main’s through ball above and over Kyle Seymour.

Despite going behind, the visitors did compose themselves quite well and they created further chances of note - Peter Jameson was called into action to deny Blackett soon after.

Iestyn Hughes, who made his first start following an enforced period on the sidelines, impressed during the first-half and a number of opportunities were crafted, in part, due to his efforts. 

Mackenzie Heaney was the architect for Shields’ equaliser, lofting a ball over to goalscorer Jenkins, who slotted it past Jameson with ease.

Blackett came close to doubling the Mariners’ lead before half-time but the offside flag went up once more.

It would be fair to say things became more disruptive as play restarted following the break, with the weather causing more of a nuisance to those on and off the field. 

Shields’ first real chance of note in the second-half fell to Blackett, who played Heaney out wide before he aimed a cross at the back post, but that chance went away.

Heaney did well from a free-kick soon after, which forced Jameson into a superb block. 

David Carson played Blackett through on goal but he just couldn’t get his effort in the back of the net - if not for the conditions, it might have been a different outcome.

Time escaped Shields in the end and they ended up settling for one point at Blackwell Meadows.

Up next is the team’s final home match of the season against Isuzu FA Trophy finalists Spennymoor Town on Monday (3pm kick-off).

Darlington: Jameson, Platt, Lees, Cornish (Salkeld 73’), Hatfield, Maskell, Main, W. McGowan (Hetherington 67’), Griffiths, Adams (Barrow 78’), Storey.

Unused substitutes: Hedley, Rivers.

Goals: Maskell (7’).

South Shields: Seymour, Hughes, Shepherd, Morse, Heaney, Carson, Smith (Ward 85’), Briggs, Jenkins, Allan (Stephenson 85’), Blackett.

Unused substitutes: Boney, Crossley, E. McGowan.

Goals: Jenkins (36’).

Attendance: 1,715.

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19).