If the time the two sides met earlier in the season was the benchmark for what would unfold, this encounter did not disappoint.
The visitors decided to switch ends on the toss of the coin and to start the game off with the wind behind them as it blew down the pitch.
The Robins came into the game with just a single change from the weekend’s draw at Brighouse, with Tom Potter swapping in for JJ Chrisp.
It was the hosts with the first chance of the game as the Robins got to grips with the blustery conditions, when Glen Butterworth took a pop shot from just inside the Robins half, no issues for Aaron Steavens between the posts.
On the quarter of an hour mark, the visitors should have taken the lead when Kevin Hayes headed a Mikey Roberts cross off the woodwork from close range.
The visitors used the conditions to their advantage and another chance this time, Roberts stinging the palms of Steavens.
The Robins first chance of the game, came soon after when Connor Oliver was brought down just outside the area, Oliver picked himself up and dusted himself off to curl an effort just the wrong side of the post.
Callum Larmouth went on a marauding run into the penalty area, only to be denied by desperate defending from the visitors.
Aaron Steavens was alert at the other end as the visitors tried two efforts from distance, composing himself in the gusty conditions.
GOAL ‘30 North Shields – Cam Cunningham, 1-0
Despite the conditions, Shields pressed forward, looking to use their pace up front to cause issues for the Anchors defense, on the half hour mark, they were rewarded for their efforts, the visitors, unable to clear their lines from a corner, the ball swung in where Cunningham glanced his header beyond Henry Popple.
The visitors, rocked by the goal, immediately went in search of a way back into the game as the Shields back line stood strong, to keep them out.
Red Card 40’ North Shields – Connor Oliver
The adulation of the Robins fans was short lived as Connor Oliver was showing a straight red for dissent.
GOAL 43’ Stockton Town – Mikey Roberts, 1-1
Freekick to the visitors, blocked by the Robins wall, ricocheted around the penalty area, before falling to Roberts, who fired home from close range to draw the visitors level.
Level at the break, and deservedly so as the visitors failed to capitalize with the conditions in their favour.
With a change of game plan required and a suspected onslaught incoming from the visitors with the man advantage, the Robins dug their heels in to show their mettle in the second half.
Adam Nichols was denied for the visitors followed by Matty Tymon being denied by Steavens at point blank range.
Tom Coulthard then smashed an effort wide of the target for the visitors as the ball landed to him inside the area.
The Robins were not confined to defending for the entire 45 minutes and looked to play football and it on the counter.
Callum Larmouth latched onto a through ball only to be denied by the offside flag.
As legs tired, changes were required for the Robins as David Palmer, Dan Wilson and Regan Paterson took the places of Callum Larmouth, Tom Potter and Cam Cunningham respectively.
The Robins back line stood strong as the game progressed, with Jack Walker and Simon Jakob fighting for every ball that came their way. Chris McDonald and Stephen Forster limited any attacks that the visitors posed down the flanks.
On the rare occasion that the visitors did manage to get off a shot, there was no way past Steavens. Rushing out to collect the ball at the feet of the attackers, before providing a smart stop with a full stretch dive to his left to tip the ball out for a corner.
At the other as the game drew to a close, Dan Wilson could have snatched it for the Robins, bringing the ball down well just inside the box before hitting a shot which deflected into the air, causing Popple to scamper back.
With the game in the dying moments, the Robins dug deep as five added minutes were indicated, long balls proved no test for the Robins defense as they continued to stand strong and see out the game to ensure a share of the spoils.
North Shields: Stevens, Forster, McDonald, Walker, Jakob, Potter (Palmer), Van-Zandvliet, Oliver, Robinson, Larmouth (Wilson), Cunningham (Paterson)
Subs not used: Doyle, Chrisp
Attendance: 307
Pub & Kitchen Man of the Match: Aaron Steavens
This coming Saturday, the Robins make their longest trip of the season as they visit Grantham Town with a 3pm kick-off.
