Match Report: AFC Telford United 1-1 South Shields

South Shields were denied a late winner amid a frantic final five minutes in their game away to AFC Telford United on Saturday.

Cedwyn Scott's 84th-minute opener appeared to have settled the result but Jordan Piggott had other ideas and levelled with one minute left on the clock.

Results elsewhere mean the Mariners remain top of the Enterprise National League North table, now by two points as opposed to just one.

Shields began the game well and controlled possession for large spells during the first-half.

The hosts dealt with a potential threat just two minutes in, after a slip by a defensive player could have sparked danger, but he recovered well and kicked it out of play.

Will Jenkins did excellently to cut inside past his man and fire a swinging cross into the path of Paul Blackett, however, his touch and flick wasn’t enough to get past Josh Gracey.

Scott then, in the 10th minute, tried an audacious lob from range but his effort flew off target.

One minute later, Blackett found himself in a good position once more following a well-worked team sequence, starring Jenkins, Cain Sykes, as well as Scott.

The prolific forward was standing just too wide to hit it cleanly into the goal which led the chance to go astray.

Things quietened down soon after from an attacking viewpoint as the hosts found their rhythm a bit more, which would lead to a much more challenging second-half.

Telford sprung into life as play restarted and they had the ball in the back of the net after just 10 minutes. 

Fortunately on Shields’ part, it had already been chalked off due to a foul in the build-up.

New arrival Lemar Gordon played his part when he came on, feeding the ball to Scott at one point, who was just unable to get his shot timed perfectly.

He could have even won it for Shields late on with his shot from up close but the ball ended up springing over the bar.

Both teams made the most of set pieces and a busy final five minutes saw both goals scored – first by Scott for Shields, and then later Piggott for Telford.

Telford could have taken the lead in stoppage time through set pieces; firstly a corner, and then a free-kick, but neither opportunity could find their way into the net. 

Shields return to league action with a visit to newly-promoted Worksop Town on Tuesday night (7:45pm kick-off).

AFC Telford United: Gracey, Dyer, Cranston, Piggott, Cawthorne, Fletcher, Walker (George 71’), Leshabela, Meddows (Hilton 62’), Stenson (Lawal 79’), Williams (Dinanga 73’).

Unused substitutes: Fridye-Harper, Armson, Allen-Hadley.

Goals: Piggott (89’).

South Shields: Watson, Tinkler, Sykes, McGurk (Ward 60’), Blackett (Alcock 85’), Jenkins, Mann, Wheeldon (Gordon 67’), Scott, Woolston, Dodds.

Unused substitutes: Morse, Blaney, Savage.

Goals: Scott (84’).

Attendance: 1,272.

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19)