Five days after hauling themselves to the top of the Northern League Division One table with victory over their title rivals, and in the process re-igniting the title race, Shildon fell to a damaging defeat in windy Guisborough on Saturday.
Leading by the game’s only goal with just three minutes remaining, the side were unable to hang on as the hosts netted twice in the dying moments to inflict a potentially fatal blow to the Railwaymen’s title hopes.
On another day of weather-affected postponements, Shildon’s game got the go-ahead despite the stormy conditions and the visitors were rewarded in the 27th minute when David Vincent gave them the lead.
The full back was on hand to pick up a half cleared ball on the edge of the box after a mazy run by Luke Spalding before finding the bottom corner past the outstretched Robert Dean.
And so it remained until the fateful final moments and the double intervention of Jordan Fielding and the weather conditions.
With just three minutes remaining, the midfielder’s speculative cross caught the wind and caught out Josh Mazfari in the Shildon goal, sailing over his head into the far top corner for a fortunate – or unfortunate, depending on your disposition – equaliser.
And with time running out, a long, wind-assisted punt by Dean found a Guisborough head in the Shildon box, redirecting the ball to Fielding, who was able to control and turn without pressure and fire home the winner, crushing Shildon’s title aspirations almost before they had been given form.
With Bishop Auckland’s match at all-but-relegated Tow Law postponed, Shildon remain top on goal difference, but now having played two more games than the Two Blues.
This weekend, Shildon are scheduled to host Birtley Town, while the FA has informed the league that due to continuing postponements, the season can be extended.
All league and play-off games must now be completed by May 11.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
