The Robins’ hopes of winning the title early suffered a setback as they were beaten 2-0 by promotion hopefuls Newton Aycliffe.
The home side had the first chance of the game when Mark Costello headed just wide of the post from a corner after 3 minutes.
Shields did also threaten early on though as Dan Wilson forced Adam Pickford into a good save in the 11th minute after David Robinsons’ hard work to send him through.
Aycliffe would’ve opened the scoring after 13 minutes. had it not been for the assists flag being raised after Andrei Ardelean tapped one into an empty net after Shields failed to clear.
Less than a minute later, Ardelean pounced on a very similar effort after Olly Marshall fumbled a cross into the box only this time there was no Vlad to spare Shields’ blushes.
Robinson had Shields best play of the half after a nice give and go with Wilson led to his well struck effort being hit just over the crossbar.
The home side then started getting on the ball more, with Marshall rushing out his net to make an important save after 23 minutes.
One of Shields’ best chances fell just before the half-time whistle after Regan Paterson was sent through on goal but dragged his effort wide of the post.
Half-time: Newton Aycliffe 1-0 North Shields
Marshall was once again called into action just three minutes into the second half after getting his fingers tips on a dangerous cross from the Aycliffe winger.
Then on the hour mark, the home team doubled their advantage when Jake Petitjean got his head on a free-kick from the very edge of the Shields box.
From there on out the home team had the majority of possession, with Ardelean nearly getting a second on 73rd minute after taking on half of the Shields players.
Wilson had a chance to get a consolation one minute before time but his header effort was steered into the keeper’s hands for a comfortable save.
Full-time: Newton Aycliffe 2-0 North Shields
Newton Aycliffe: A.Pickford, N.Green, A.Brown, C.Munro, J.Ferguson, M.Costello, J.Petitjean, B.Fitzpatrick, J.Clarkson, A.Ardelean, B.Wood
Subs: B.Reay (68’, A.Howard (86’)
North Shields: O.Marshall, J.Walker, D.Halliday, G.Ormston, A.Myers, B.Milburn, A.Forster ©, D.Robinson, D.Wilson, R.Carr, R.Paterson
Subs: J.Chrisp (61’), B.Hird (61’), C.Smith (76’)
Attendance: 305
