Match Report: Marine 2-2 South Shields

Oli Bainbridge rescued a point for South Shields with seconds to spare in their 2-2 draw against Marine on Saturday.

The Mariners thought their opportunity to pile further pressure on Enterprise National League North title contenders AFC Fylde and Merthyr Town had escaped them, as James Potter fired Marine into the lead during stoppage time, but Bainbridge saved the day in the final moments.

Sonny Finch - the Middlesbrough loanee - had given Shields the lead in the 26th minute before Adam Anson levelled things up five minutes into the second-half.

Results elsewhere mean that Ian Watson’s side are now six points clear at the top of the table, albeit have played one game more than AFC Fylde, heading into Tuesday’s first-vs-second battle.

Shields started the game in control of the ball well, though very little was created in terms of clear cut chances from either side in the opening stages.

The first significant opportunity came in the 24th minute when Fin Sinclair-Smith struck the post for the hosts.

One minute later, Shields took the lead.

Finch scored for the second game running: he aimed his rocket into the top-left corner and it evaded Fraser Barnsley on its way to hitting the back of the net.

Watson was called into action a number of times but nothing really threatened the Shields stot-stopper during the first-half.

It took five minutes for Marine to equalise once play restarted and it was Anson who got the goal.

From a distance the chance appeared scrappy, but Anson and the home Mariners would take anything as long as it resulted in a goal.

Lennon Wheeldon turned and shot inside the 18-yard box on the hour mark but Barnsley caught his strike with ease.

Shields had an effort blasted off the line with 20 minutes to go and while that was chaotic, both teams would have to wait before even more chaos ensued.

Marine broke away against the run of play and the young Potter sent the home fans wild in the 92nd minute with what seemed to be a late winner.

It wasn’t to be, however, as Bainbridge stepped up and launched an overhead kick - the final kick of the game - to settle the game one point apiece.

Shields now look forward to a titan clash on Tuesday night against AFC Fylde (7:45pm kick-off).

Marine: Barnsley, Brown (Martin 69’), Anson, Wardle, Thomas, Whelan, Fielding, McDonald, Sinclair-Smith, Jolley (Abbey 43’), Zanzala (Potter 80’).

Unused substitutes: McIntyre, Bell, Huby.

Goals: Anson (51’), Potter (90+2’).

South Shields: Watson, Tinkler, Bainbridge, McGurk (Ward 62’), Jenkins, Mann, Finch, Wheeldon (Blackett 84’), Scott, Alcock (Robson 62’), Dodds.

Unused substitutes: Sykes, Morse, Savage, Sloan.

Goals: Finch (26’), Bainbridge (90+8’).

Attendance: 1,476.

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19)