
Shildon AFC travelled across country to take on Garstang in the FA Vase on Saturday and returned home with a comfortable 0-5 win to stroll into the next round.
They will now host Handsworth FC in the First Round proper at Dean Street on the weekend of 9-11 October.
That weekend’s scheduled home league fixture against Whickham will now take place on Saturday 5 December.
First half goals from Joe Posthill (26) and Alfie Steel (33) sent the Railwaymen into the break with a 0-2 lead before Posthill grabbed his brace on 77 and a late Jack Blackford double (85, 90+3) ensured a comfortable win and a cheerful journey home for fans and players.
The midweek league encounter with Horden CW at Dean Street proved a more challenging exercise and it took until after the visitors were reduced to ten men before Shildon eventually made the breakthrough.
Ewan Purdy’s dismissal on 64 minutes proved pivotal as Alfie Steel found the net just four minutes later for the game’s only goal.
Meanwhile the draw for the Durham Challenge Cup has paired Shildon with Bishop Auckland for a second derby of the season at Heritage Park, scheduled for the midweek preceding 10 October.
Shildon won there earlier in the season and will need to do so again if they are to defend their trophy.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.





