Shildon AFC fell behind to ten-man Newcastle Benfield on Saturday after the home side opened the scoring in 51 minutes through Jay Errington, despite Ahmed Alshbeeb’s first half red card for a two-footed challenge on David Vincent.
However, the goal had the effect of galvanising the visitors who proceeded to score four times in the final half hour to ensure they remain in the hunt in what is now a two-horse Northern League title race.
Joe Posthill brought the Railwaymen back on level terms from the penalty spot in the 64th minute before Billy Gruelich-Smith put Shildon ahead with a quarter of an hour to play.
A Luke Spalding double in the 80th and 90th minutes made certain of the win against the diminished Newcastle side.
The win keeps Shildon within six points of the leaders, Bishop Auckland, who trounced Sunderland RCA 7-0 on the same afternoon.
However, the Railwaymen have an opportunity to close the gap to three points should their midweek game at Northallerton go ahead on Wednesday night as the Crier goes to press after Bishop’s midweek match at Benfield was postponed on Tuesday evening due to a waterlogged pitch.
Shildon host Heaton Stannington this Saturday while Bishops travel to North Shields.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
