The BBC were in town as Marc Nash and his North Shields squad made the early morning voyage to Greater Manchester to face off against the reformed Bury A.F.C.
The Robins’ got the game underway with the magnificent traveling support in full voice.
Possession was split in the early exchanges, the hosts winning the first corner of the game and Connor Oliver with a freekick for the Robins’.
Another freekick, this time won by Jack Walker, was swung in by Oliver, who picked out Tom Bexton at the back post, who was not able to enough on the ball and guided an effort wide of the target.
The hosts had a penalty shout waved away by match official Stephen Rushworth.
On 17 minutes, Jack Walker was cautioned for blocking off an attacking run.
In the 20th minute, the game was brought to an halt because of protestors throwing smoke bombs over the fence from outside the ground.
As the game resumed, the hosts should have taken the lead through Niall Cummins only to see his headed effort going over from close range.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead in the 28th minute, a short corner undone the Robins defense only to be denied the linesman’s flag for offside.
A few minutes later, the Robins’ attacking prowess took a major blow when Dan Wilson was forced off through injury.
The introduction of Reagan Paterson replacing Wilson, almost paid dividends as a long ball pumped forward undone the Shakers back line but were able to recover to force the ball out for a corner.
At the other end, Finlay Hodgson did well to hold onto a strike from point blank range to keep the hosts out.
Paul Van Zandvliet made a marauding run down the left hand side, played in Hird, who’s effort on goal was deflected for a corner.
Forster then played in Paterson down the right, who’s first time cross almost fell to the feet of Paterson only to be denied by the toe of Shakers’ captain ‘Hunt.
Cam Cunningham then stung the keeper’s palms with an effort from the edge of the area.
GOAL 45’ Niall Cummins 1-0
Just as half time was approaching us and the game was looking to be tied at the break, ‘Cummins pounced on a defensive mishap, allowing him to beat everybody to the ball and nod home to give the hosts the lead at half time.
As the second half got underway, the hosts went immediately on the attack, trying to cause problems through the Robins defense, with them looking to get winger Lewis Gilboy on the ball at every opportunity.
At the other end, David Robinson split the Robins’ defense to find Cunningham who’s floated cross was unable to find a Robins’ head inside the box.
Both teams continued to attack, with the hosts looking to settle the tie and Robins looking to draw level.
The Robins’ were almost level when Forster played through Cunningham, who lifted an effort over the out rushing Jack Atkinson only to have made his run a fraction early and caught offside.
GOAL 60’ David Robinson 1-1
The Robins’ drew level with a Robinson right footed volley finding the bottom corner on the rebound of a Tom Bexton header which left the Shakers’ crossbar shaking. Giving the traveling support good reason to turn up the volume and help the lads go pursuit of the winner
Robinson split the Shakers defense in two with a through ball to Cunningham, who floated in a cross but was unable to locate a Robins’ head in the middle.
75th minute on the clock and the hosts could have been reduced to 10 men for a late challenge on Jack Walker by Shakers’ captain Hunt, who was already on a yellow card.
Jack Walker turned defense into attack, dispossessing the hosts on halfway and winning the Robins’ a corner in their search for a winner.
The hosts made a double swap in search of their own winner.
GOAL 82’ Connor Comber 2-1
With both teams in search of a winner and game drawing closer to full time, it became a stretch affair, the Shakers’ crossed into the Robins box and Anth Myers tried in vain to clear the Robins’ defensive line, his headed clearance fell to Comber who hit a right footed volley first time, picking out the bottom corner, giving them the lead and sending the home support into raptures.
Nash made a double change in effort to get back level and try to force a replay.
The hosts tried to settle the tie with a third goal only to be denied by resilient defending.
Unfortunately for the Robins’ an equalizer was not to be as the match official brought the tie to a conclusion, confirming Bury to be team in Monday’s draw.
The Robins’ change their focus back to league action on Wednesday 7th September, as they travel to Stockton Town, who currently sit top of the league, and will be looking to put a dent in their 100% winning start to the campaign.
