Shildon AFC managed once again to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory after leading their latest home league match, against Blyth Town, until the final minute before capitulating by conceding two very late goals.
As has become the habit, the hosts took the lead, through Alex Hutchinson, midway though the first half and held on until the 89th minute before a wickedly deflected Ben Franklin shot levelled the scores.
Just as they had been ready to celebrate laying to rest a curse which has seen them take the lead in every home game this season, only to go on to lose, the equaliser suddenly raised the spectre of yet another repeat.
And so it proved as Liam Wotherspoon popped up at the death, four minutes into added time to sicken Shildon with the winner for the visitors.
The midfielder received a second yellow card for his enthusiatic celebrations, but that failed to register any disappointment in the visiting camp as substitutes and staff poured onto the pitch in delirious celebration.
For Shildon fans, it was all too depressingly familiar and sees the Railwaymen sink to seventh in the Division One table. Confident pre-season predictions of promotion must seem like an eternity ago, albeit the new campaign is just ten matches old.
In direct contrast however, the side’s away form is also 100%, but this time in the win column.
It may then be with some relief they will have noted the next two fixtures are away, at Newcastle Benfield on Saturday and Easington Colliery next Tuesday night.
If only they could take their away form back home with them.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
