Prior to Saturday’s league visit to Consett, Shildon AFC were advised that the away match against Ashington on Saturday 10th October, which Shildon won 2-1 will have to be replayed.
The Railwaymen were found to have fielded an ineligible player, Anthony Bell, who hadn’t received international clearance, even though he had played five games for Darlington before signing for Shildon.
The void result meant Morpeth Town replaced Shildon at the top of the Northern League ahead of the Railwaymen’s match at Consett on Saturday 24th October.
Shildon were looking for revenge after losing 2-1 at home just three weeks earlier in their worst team performance of the season. Alas, things didn’t turn out any better as a much changed Shildon side were once again very poor, the whole team underperforming.
On a windy afternoon, Shildon, who gave a debut to new signing, Lewis Dodds, who joined from Spennymoor Town, started stronger but nevertheless went behind on 21 minutes when Consett scored with their first shot of the day.
Captain Dan Cragg’s drive from 30 yards was caught by the wind and swerved viciously past a helpless Kyle Hayes.
After Micky Rae headed over from six yards, Shildon levelled on the stroke of half time through Ben Wood.
Shildon didn’t perform at all in the second half with Consett taking the lead on 76 minutes when a cross from the right was bundled out of Kyle Hayes’ hands and Michael Mackay converted the loose ball.
Shildon’s only effort in the whole second half was a Bobby Moore header on 82 minutes.
With just two minutes remaining, Gary Brown handled in the box and Michael Mackay scored his second goal of the game from the spot for a final score of 3-1 to Consett.
Shildon now lie second, five points behind leaders Morpeth Town.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
