South Shields 0 Darlington 1

Goals: Main 25 mins, 0-1

A first half goal by Cedric Main gave Quakers their first win in four matches at the First Cloud Arena.

They played some good football in the first half and created some good chances. They took the lead after some great play by Tom Allan set up Cedric Main to score his 20th goal of the season from a few yards out but in the second half they had to defend valiantly and with discipline to protect the points.

The victory ended Quakers three match losing streak and put them sixth in the table. It was also their third successive win at Mariners Park.

Here are Terry's thoughts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzNv5SzVCZU

and the goal;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwGld-voW0Y

There was some early pressure for Quakers, and a good run by McGowan ended with an effort by Lowes that was blocked.

They also had a handball shout, Tom Allan’s cross from the left was put behind by a defender, Quakers claimed handball, but the referee said corner. When the corner came over, Elliot Forbes headed wide.

Shields had their first chance when Paul Blackett crossed from the left for Sonny Finch to volley wide of the right hand post.

Quakers nearly took the lead on 12 minutes. McGowan and Allan worked a corner well, and when Allan crossed into the middle, Main had a glancing header blocked, and the ball came out for Lowes, who curled a right foot shot just wide.

Emergency keeper Pete Jameson was called into action for the first time on 16 minutes. Olly Bainbridge weaved his way into the box and forced Jameson into a low save at the foot of his post.

Shields went close again with a cross from the right by Sykes which Blackett headed a yard over the bar.

Shields kept the pressure going, and Jameson pushed a 20 yarder from Blackett around the post.

But Quakers bounced back and took the lead on 25 minutes. Scott Barrow found Allan on the left, he worked his way into the area and fired the ball into the six yard box, where Cedric Main touched the ball home ahead of a defender.

Quakers nearly got a second when Barrow’s long throw was flicked on for Maskell to have a shot blocked.

Allan, who played at South Shields earlier in his career,  created another chance on 36 minutes. Again he beat his marker on the left and pulled the ball back for Main to have a good chance blocked by a defender a couple of yards out

Quakers were saved by a great challenge on 42 minutes when Finch broke into the area down the right, but Toby Lees put in a great tackle to deny him.

HT 0-1

Shields claimed a penalty after 55 minutes when Finch went down when challenged by Barrow, but the referee waved play on.

The home side started putting the pressure on. Platt headed a dangerous free kick away, and Lees made a good clearance.

The Quakers defence was split open by a good through ball on 62 minutes, and Finch looked as if he would benefit by rounding the keeper, but Jameson timed his run perfectly and gathered the ball at his feet

Quakers made a sub on 63 minutes with Ben Hedley coming on for Scott Barrow.

Shields thought they’d equalised when Bainbridge turned a right wing cross home, but he was flagged for offside.

Shields nearly levelled on 73 minutes when Will Jenkins crossed for sub Lennon Wheeldon to sidefoot against the bar from six yards out.

They had another chance when Sean McGurk dribbled in from the right but he fired straight at Jameson, then Wheeldon fired well over from the edge of the box.

Quakers made a rare break through Lowes, but he lost possession on the edge of the Sheilds area.

They were soon back on the defensive with some great challenges and clearances going in.

Will Jenkins fired just wide as Shields piled men forward, then Caden Kelly headed wide.

In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Finch put a good chance over the bar from ten yards, but Quakers held on for  superb victory

Team: Jameson, Lees, Forbes, Barrow (sub Hedley 63), Tweedy, Lowes, Platt, McGowan (sub Griffiths 86), Allan (sub Howells 70), Main, Maskell

Subs: Mason, Griffiths, Barton, Rutledge