Shildon AFC will feel they dropped two points on Saturday when Carlisle City snatched a 1-1 draw with a late equaliser at Dean Street, just two minutes from time.
Alfie Steel, scoring for the fifth game in a row, gave the Railwaymen the lead early in the second half, but with both their title-chasing rivals also slipping up at the weekend, they were ultimately unable to capitalise.
Mid-table Carlisle arrived at Dean Street on the back of a 3-2 away loss at lowly Northallerton Town, but proved a stern test for their ambitious hosts.
With the game goalless at half-time, news may have filtered through to the home dressing room that second-place Easington were also level pegging in Whitley Bay while league leaders and local rivals, Bishop Auckland were trailing to a shock 3-1 scoreline away at Whickham.
Whether the news will have motivated the side or not, they came out for the second half with intent, and within four minutes of the restart, the on-form Steel gave Shildon the lead with a stunning left-footed curler from the edge of the box into the keeper’s top right corner after a precise through ball.
Unable to find a decisive second, the hosts found themselves hanging on late in the game before conceding a scrappy equaliser.
With Shildon unable to clear their lines, a long ball into the box by Kieron Olsen looked to be safely collected by Andy Jennison, but as the keeper collided with an opposing player, the ball spilled in the crowded penalty box.
As players and fans alike claimed a foul, the referee remained silent and a scramble ensued. A thumping effort crashed off the underside of the bar before falling perfectly for Jordan Irving to volley home from inside the six-yard box.
“It was one of those you sometimes get,” said a magnanimous Chris Hughes in his post-match interview, adding “we just have to take it on the chin and move forward.”
Equally frustrating would have been the news that their top two rivals both also dropped points, with Easington going down 2-1 and Bishop coming back to rescue a draw.
Coupled with the previous midweek’s 3-2 loss at Marske, the side will be well aware they could have been significantly closer to the top of the table, particularly with Easingon hosting Bishop this midweek as the Crier goes to print.
With a midweek rest to recover and prepare for the weekend, Shildon will travel to Redcar’s Mo Mowlam Memorial Park on Saturday looking to get their winning ways back on track.
That league encounter will be followed by the short trip to Heritage Park at 7.45pm on Tuesday evening to take on the league leaders in the First Round of the Durham Challenge Cup as they begin the defence of the trophy they have won for the past two seasons.
On their side will be the knowledge that they have already beaten their local rivals in their own back yard in the league this season.
That will be followed a week on Saturday by the First Round of the FA Vase when Shildon will host Handsworth FC at Dean Street.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
