South Shields lost 2-1 to Peterborough Sports to fall to a second straight defeat in Vanarama National League North.
The visitors opened the scoring in the fifth minute through Dion Sembie-Ferris. The lead was extended in first half stoppage time as Hayden Cann slotted past Myles Boney to leave Peterborough Sports a commanding lead at half-time.
Paul Blackett halved the deficit in the 53rd minute just a minute after the Turbines' player-manager Michael Gash had a goal disallowed for offside.
The Mariners made five changes from the 1-0 defeat against Chester three weeks ago with John Lufudu, Dillon Morse, Robert Briggs, Jed Abbey and Luke James all coming into the side.
The first goal of the game came in the fifth minute after a defensive mix up on the halfway line allowed Sembie-Ferris to run through on goal before cooly dinking the ball over Boney in the South Shields goal.
The Mariners pushed for an equaliser with Blackett missing a golden opportunity to level the scores from close range after a fumble from Peterborough Sports’ keeper Peter Crook.
Crook kept the scores level just minutes later with a brilliant double save after the Turbines’ defence gave the ball away to leave Blackett bearing down on goal.
The Turbines’ stopper continued to frustrate South Shields, denying Lufudu from close range before saving brilliantly saving an effort from Mackenzie Heaney after the winger had weaved his way into a shooting position.
The lead was doubled in first half stoppage time when Cann dispossessed Gary Liddle before placing the ball under Boney despite South Shields appeals for a foul on Liddle.
The Turbines thought they had further extended their lead in the 52nd minute when Gash had the ball in the back of the net, but the forward was denied by the linesman’s flag.
Peterborough Sports would regret this just a minute later when Blackett’s effort from inside the box found the back of the net via the post.
The Mariners’ forward came within inches of levelling the score in the 61st minute but saw his curling effort strike the post and go out for a goal kick after a brilliant run from Lufudu.
Crook would once again keep the Turbines’ lead intact by saving low from second half substitute Jordy Mongoy.
The Mariners were unable to find an equaliser in the late stages of the game to fall to a second straight defeat at 1st Cloud Arena.
South Shields: Boney, Lufudu, Adams (c), Liddle, Morse, Briggs, Hasani (Clarke 72), Abbey, Heaney, Blackett, James (Mongoy 79). Subs not used: Woods, Savage, Broadbent.
Goal: Blackett (53).
Attendance: 1,999.
Image: Kev Wilson.