Shildon AFC continued their unbeaten run but will have considered the weekend’s 2-2 home draw against fifth place Newcastle Blue Star as two points dropped after the visitors scored twice in added time to rescue a result.
Shildon led 2-0 after goals in each half from Ben Errington (26) and Billy Greulich-Smith (73), but were denied their eighth win in a row after conceding twice in a minute in time added on.
Connor Oliver (90+1) and Kyle Patton (90+2) denied the Railwaymen the opportunity to go level in second place after Blyth Town were held to a goalless draw at Whitley Bay on the same afternoon.
The main beneficiaries in the title race were leaders Redcar and fourth-place Boro Rangers who were both on cup duty, with Redcar then extending their lead at the top in midweek with a 0-2 win at Whickham.
As they enter the busy festive period, Shildon maintain their third place position in the table, four points behind the leaders who have the luxury of two games in hand.
Next up for the Railwaymen is a visit to title challengers Blyth Town this weekend, followed by a league double-header against West Auckland; at home on Boxing Day and then at West on Saturday 4 January.
Meantime, Shildon have been drawn at home to Hebburn Town in the semi-finals of the Durham Challenge Cup with the fixture scheduled for Tuesday 7 January, kicking off at 7.30pm.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
