It took two late, outrageous goals to consign Shildon to their first defeat of the season – in any competition – but the title contenders will be sore at both the manner of the loss and that the points were snatched at the death by one of their main title rivals.
Marske United were the visitors to Dean Street on Saturday and they arrived with their own impressive record in tow, having lost just once this season and sitting prettily in fourth spot in the table, with a number of games in hand over their higher placed opponents.
The sides began the afternoon equal on points but despite Shildon’s expended FA Cup run, it was the visitors who had started the fewest games in the league, having played a game less than Shildon to date.
A goalless first half was edged by the visitors on balance of play, and they could have taken the lead midway through the half when Craig Gott let fly from distance, but his effort cannoned off the underside of the bar and was cleared to safety.
Against the run of play, Shildon should have gone into the break ahead, but Billy Greulich-Smith missed a glorious chance in front of an open goal, shinning his shot high over the bar.
But the gangly forward made amends early in the second half when he tapped home Adam Burnicle’s devastating cross after excellent work down the wing by the striker.
Marske should have equalised but spurned a chance at the back post and it looked then like Shildon would earn an important win.
But with ten minutes remaining, the strong wind took hold of James Fairley’s corner and carried the ball high over Nick Liversedge and into the net at the far post.
A draw would have been a fair result but as time ran out, Shildon gave away a free kick on half way.
What looked an innocuous concession was converted into the winning goal as the fouled Fairley, noticing the Shildon keeper off his line, rose to his feet and once again took advantage of the conditions to smash home an improbable 45 yard winner with the final kick of the game.
Shildon have a week to recover from the reverse before travelling to Guiseley in an effort to pull off their own improbable victory against the National League side in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
