MATCH REPORT: SOUTH SHIELDS 0-1 DARLINGTON

South Shields suffer derby defeat despite valiant fight back 

The hosts began the derby clash well, threatening the opposition with chances inside the opening minutes through Dan Dodds and Sonny Finch. 

However, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock - Cedric Main, the one who netted for Darlington in the 25th minute.

The Mariners came into Monday night's clash making one change from their Good Friday fixture with Spennymoor Town - new signing Niall McAndrew would grace home soil from the first whistle with Lennon Wheeldon dropping to the bench.

The Mariners started brightly, crafting a threatening opportunity down the right with Dodds. 

Dodds burst his way down the wing before fizzing a ball into the back post for Finch whose volley strayed just wide.

Soon after the visitors created their first chance at goal. 

After Cedric Main missed a headed chance from inside the box, the ball fell kindly back to Jonah Lowes who shaped up and curled one toward the far right of Jasper Sheik’s goal, however the shot blazed wide.

With 18 minutes played the hosts came close once more, this time with Paul Blackett who was seeking his 27th league goal of the campaign. 

Finch held the ball up on the right side of midfield before laying the ball into Cain Sykes who floated the ball into Blackett whose header rippled the side netting.

Unfortunately then, these missed chances by the hosts were seized upon by Darlington as in the 25th minute their topscorer Main, netted the opener.

The hosts then were fighting for a first-half equaliser and were agonisingly close to getting it just two minutes before the break, as Finch was denied by Pete Jameson. 

The winger played a quick one-two with McAndrew setting a chance for him to burst into the box before thundering a strike at goal, which unfortunately for the hosts was blocked. 

In the second-half the Mariners battled superbly, trying to get their way back into the tie. 

In the 62nd minute, Will Jenkins played an exquisite ball into Finch who looked to round Jameson and slot in the equaliser however the keeper read the move and collected the ball.

Soon after the Mariners did have the ball in the back of the net however, the offside flag was raised and Darlington’s lead remained intact. 

It was a beautiful ball into the box from Sykes into Bainbridge who flicked it past Jameson however the goal didn’t stand.

Deep into stoppage-time home fans thought they’d scored the equalising goal they’d been seeking. 

Substitute Sean McGurk whipped a delicious ball into the box which was met by Caden Kelly with a diving header that was inches away from the post. 

South Shields: Sheik, Tinkler, Bainbridge, Sykes

(McGurk 72’), Blackett, Jenkins, Mann, Finch, Alcock, (Wheeldon 72’), McAndrew (Roles 55’), Dodds, (Kelly 72’)

Darlington: Jameson, Barrow, Platt, Lees, Forbes Maskell, Main, Allan, Lowes, McGowan, Tweedy

Unused substitutes: Seymour, Morse, Smith,

Goals: Main 25’

Attendance: 3300