The Robins were left with lessons to learn after a much changed lineup fell to a 3-0 defeat at Dunston UTS.
UTS snatched the lead just before the break, after the hosts took advantage of a defensive mistake.
The lead was doubled early in the second period, after the home forward converted a softly awarded penalty.
Shields found themselves three goals down with 30 minutes to play, following a quick break on goal which left the attacker a close range finish.
And despite several late chances for the Robins, Dunston held on to secure a hard fought win.
In what was the second game of our pre season schedule, North Shields started the brighter, with Dan Wilson testing the home defence early on.
But the hosts responded well to the pressure, forcing Greg Purvis into a smart save after six minutes of play.
Once the game settled down, it was the Robins who almost broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, with David Robinson seeing his effort parried behind for a corner.
Four minutes after that, Callum Smith thought he had given Shields a deserved lead, only to see his angled shot flashing into the side netting.
As the game entered the 20th minute, the Robins were convinced they should have been handed a penalty, after Smith was felled in the area.
However, to much protest from the visiting bench, the referee waived away the appeals and called for a drinks break.
The stoppage in play seemed to benefit the hosts as a Dunston attacker forced Purvis into a splendid save after 28 minutes, having been played through one on one with the Shields keeper.
But as the hosts pressed further forward, Purvis was proving to be a thorn in their sides, pulling off a fantastic reaction save after the Dunston attacker found himself in space in the six yard box.
However, the Robins resistance was broken when, just before the break, a defensive mistake allowed the hosts plenty of space to take the lead with a close range finish.
Nashy’s words of wisdom at the break almost paid off as in the 49th minute, Wilson muscled his way into the Dunston penalty area, only for his cross to be cut out at the last minute by defender.
And the visitors were punished only minutes later, when the referee awarded Dunston a penalty despite the foul appearing to take place outside the box. Purvis was sent the wrong way by the spot kick and the hosts lead was doubled.
Things went from bad to worse for the Robins as they soon found themselves three goals down, following a quick break down the wing before the home attacker converted the well placed cross in the 59th minute.
After a number of substitutions, and the second half drinks break, Shields came within a whisker of pulling a goal back, when Wilson’s strength on the ball allowed Robinson an effort from close range.
Unfortunately, the ball cannoned off the post before being cleared to safety by a defender.
Cam Cunningham was beginning to cause the tiring home fullbacks all sorts of grief and in the 78th minute, his weaving run and cross was fired well over the crossbar by Ryan Carr.
The more Shields pressed forwards, the more space they allowed the hosts and in the 84th minute, a top save from Purvis was all that stood in the way of a fourth goal for Dunston.
But despite a string of late chances, the visitors ran out of time, with Dunston running out 3-0 winners.
