It was almost the same old story for Shildon AFC in Penrith last weekend when they allowed a two goal first half lead to be pegged back by the hosts, but a last minute Leighton Harris strike eventually clinched all three points for the Railwaymen. As has been the case all season, surging into a two-goal lead prior to the interval proved no guarantee of a positive result.

Nathan Greenwood put the visitors ahead in 14 minutes, finishing off a slick move, before Elliott Day doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, firing home from the edge of the box, albeit the home keeper could have done better at his near post. However, given the season’s results to date, it is unlikely the visiting fans would have concluded the game was already won, and so it proved.

Just four minutes into the second half, the hosts halved the deficit through Robbie Hebson, who converted from the tightest of angles after Andrew Jennison had palmed away Luke Hunter’s effort. And on 64 minutes came the almost inevitable equaliser from Connor Shields, who tapped home after the Shildon defence were caught napping at a corner. But this time there was a twist in what has become an otherwise predictable tale when the Railwaymen stole the ball deep in their own half and, after a goalmouth scramble, Leighton Harris swept home to secure a win which lifts Shildon into sixth place in the league table.

Next up, as the Crier goes to press, is a Durham Challenge Cup 2nd Round tie at Stockton Town before Shildon return to league duty on Saturday afternoon when they host bottom side, Tow Law at Dean Street.