From two goals up to two men down and two penalty concessions – one missed – Shildon AFC contrived to throw away the opportunity to topple Guisborough Town and take over the leadership of the Northern League, instead finishing the day six points behind the Priorymen after a 4-3 defeat.
Early goals from Joe Posthill (7) and Tom Price (13) looked to have the Railwaymen cruising to a fifth consecutive, comfortable win and a stroll to the top of the table, but a quick riposte by Toluwani Osiyemi (15), slowed Shildon’s momentum.
Then, on the half hour, Shildon suffered a halting blow when Sam Hodgson was shown a straight red card for violent conduct and was joined in the changing rooms by his assistant manager, David Howe.
But just as it looked as if Shildon would survive to the break, the home side were awarded a spot kick in the 7th minute of added time, duly dispatched by Kurtis Howes to level the match.
If the visiting support were reminded of last season’s capitulations from a healthy position, the ten men did their best to alleviate that concern by winning themselves a penalty three minutes into the second half.
Ciaran Banks was equal to the task, restoring the visitors’ lead, albeit temporarily.
Shildon held out until the 70th minute before Guisborough’s superior numbers prevailed and the Railwaymen were once again pegged back by Matthew Willshaw.
And three minutes later, the home side’s comeback was complete when Kurtis Howes netted his second and the league leaders’ fourth to make it an all but impossible task for the ten men.
That task became entirely hopeless when dissent by Jon Weirs led to the visitors’ second red card of the afternoon in the 90th minute.
Guisborough should have extended their lead five minutes into added time when they were awarded a second penalty after Willshaw was bundled down in the box, but the converted spot kick was mysteriously chalked off.
The loss leaves Shildon in second place and extends Guisborough’s lead to six points, albeit the Railwaymen have a game in hand.
Manager, Chris Hughes afterwards took heart from the performance given his side played the final hour against the division’s top side with ten men and the final minutes with nine. And having played most of the season to date on the road, Shildon now have six home league matches on the trot as they bid to revitalise their challenge.
Before then, however, they travel north to St James Park, Alnwick, on Tuesday evening, in the First Round of the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup.
Goal highlights: Guisborough Town 4-3 Shildon AFC
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
