The Robins squad got a much needed workout as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of West Allotment Celtic.
After a closely contested first half, the hosts took the lead when Gary Day smashed home a close range shot past the visiting keeper.
However, West Allotment scored three goals in fourteen minutes to take a firm control of the game.
And despite the Robins pressing hard towards the end of the game, even hitting the crossbar, they were unable to claw back the deficit.
With both sides fielding numerous changes to their regular starting lineups, the game started at a fairly slow pace; with both sides struggling to maintain control of the ball.
However, with ten minutes to go until the halftime break, the hosts came mightily close to opening the scoring when striker Ryan Carr’s ferocious effort struck the underside, bounced the wrong side of the line before it was eventually cleared.
With Marc making several changes to his side at the start of the second half, one of his substitutes, Gary Day, managed to open the scoring when he hammered home well-struck cross from close range; giving the keeper no chance whatsoever.
Unfortunately, Shields were unable to hang on to the lead for long as in the 58th minute, seven minutes after Day’s strike, West Allotment were able to draw level following some good build up play amongst the visiting midfield.
And before long, the Division Two side managed to score a second and a third goal to give themselves a clear lead.
With the game entering the final ten minutes, the Robins really began pressuring the West Allotment defensive line, with the likes of Cam Cunningham, Gary Day and Sean McRoberts causing plenty of trouble.
They even managed to strike the crossbar for a second time when an excellently whipped cross flew over the visiting keeper before cannoning away to safety.
This proved to be the last real opportunity of the game, with the referee soon bringing this mid-season friendly to an end.
Final Score: North Shields 1 West Allotment Celtic 3
North Shields Starting Eleven: Greg Purvis, Jack Donnison, Chris McDonald, David Hall, Curtis Coppen, Liam McNamara, Lewis Suddick, Gary Ormston, Callum Johnston, Ryan Carr, Bobby Taylor
North Shields Substitutes: Gary Day, Sean McRoberts, Cam Cunningham, Kevin Hughes, Michael Robinson