An early strike from Kyle Patton was enough for Shields as they held on to a narrow 1-0 Pre-Season win over Seaton Delaval.
Patton, last seasons top scorer, reacted quickest to a Paul Robinson cross to convert from close range at the far post.
The hosts responded well, but we’re made to rue missed chances as they went in at half time a goal down.
Paul Robinson almost doubled the Robins advantage at the start of the second period, but shot narrowly wide.
And despite some late pressure from the hosts, Shields held on for the narrow victory.
The Robins came out of the block firing and after only three minutes, Patton converted from close range, after Paul Robinson weaved through the Delaval defence.
But the hosts responded well, with a dangerous freekick from the corner of the box headed wide in the 12th minute.
With 23 minutes on the clock, the hosts were beginning to apply pressure on the Shields goal, with a long range effort sailing narrowly over the crossbar.
However, Shields almost immediately doubled their lead, with Craig Spooner breaking clean through on goal, only for a recovering defender to make a great last ditch challenge.
In the 29th minute, a strong run from Cam Cunningham allowed Jamie Clark a chance on goal, but his powerful shot was palmed away by the keeper.
As the game went on, the Robins were starting to dictate the pace of the game and in the 36th minute, McDonald charged down the wing before feeding Robinson on the edge of the area.
However, the ball didn’t sit right for Robinson and his attempted shot skewed wide of the Delaval goal.
Just on the stroke of half time, a great move from Spooner released Clark into plenty of space on the edge of the area, only for his effort to narrowly miss its target.
After a slow start to the second half, the Robins started to get into gear, with a curved Paul Robinson shot from the corner of the box inches over the crossbar.
But Delaval were still threatening going forward, with number 14 slicing a shot well wide in the 56th minute, under pressure.
The game slowed down as both teams made a host of substitutions, alongside the second half drinks break.
And it was the Robins subs who settled the quicker, with David Robinson and Dan Wilson linking up well before Andrew Cartwright’s through ball was cut out with 10 minutes to go.
Gary Ormston almost got in on the action with minutes remaining, but his first time effort, from Wilson’s touch, was driven wide.
Delaval were tiring and just before the final whistle, an excellent piece of skill from Callum Smith allowed him space to shoot. His shot troubled the keeper but was just over.
Final score: Seaton Delaval 0 North Shields 1
