MATCH REPORT: SOUTH SHIELDS 2-1 AFC FYLDE

Quickfire Paul Blackett and Sean McGurk goals fire South Shields to crucial 2-1 victory against title rivals AFC Fylde 

The Mariners began the biggest game of the season brightly, however were unable to break the deadlock in the first-half. 

However when needed most – the Mariners star-man and top scorer, Paul Blackett, popped up just seven minutes into the second-half when he finished a sublime cross from Cain Sykes. 

Miraculously two minutes later the Mariners doubled their lead thanks to Sean McGurk's finish inside the box. 

The Mariners were in for a nervy finish however, as the visitors Danny Ormerod pulled one back with three minutes to go.

South Shields went into Tuesday nights’ clash looking to regain the top spot in the Enterprise National League North, while hoping to replicate their last performance against the Coasters which saw them triumph in a 4-2 away victory.

The Mariners too, came into the midweek tie pumped with adrenaline having astonishingly slotted three goals past Peterborough Sports in three minutes on Saturday. 

The hosts began the game with top goalscorer Blackett up-top who was looking to get his 21st in the league.

The Mariners began the top of the table clash brightly with an early opportunity through Will Jenkins. 

McGurk broke down the left side and fizzed a ball into Blackett who managed to hold the ball up before teeing off Jenkins who crashed the ball at goal however the shot was blocked. 

Eighteen minutes later the hosts had another big chance that saw Dan Dodds play the ball into McGurk who took a step to his right and tried a curling effort toward the far right corner however Zac Jones made the stop.

The Mariners then agonisingly came close to the opener once more, this time it was Jack Roles with the chance. 

Captain Robbie Tinkler found himself in a forward position and whipped in a ball that was met by the head of Roles however the chance strayed just wide.

In the second-half Ian Watson’s Mariners began emphatically, quick out of the blocks and firing home the opener in the 52nd minute.

Sykes found space down the right side and floated a delicious ball into Blackett who struck a first-time finish beyond Jones. 

Astonishingly the home fans had another goal in-store to celebrate merely two minutes later thanks to McGurk's 54th minute strike.

Roles sliced the defence open with a wonderful through ball into Sonny Finch who fired a cross into the back post to McGurk who coolly took a touch, composed himself and fired into the roof of the net. 

However home fans were in for a nervy finish as Ormerod's finish in the 87th minute meant Mariner fans had to hold on for that final whistle to be blown.

South Shields: Watson, Tinkler, Sykes, McGurk, Robson (Alcock 67’), Blackett (Morse 81’), Jenkins Mann, Finch (Ward 78’), Dodds, Roles (Wheeldon 75’)

AFC Fylde: Jones, McFayden, Merrie, Thomas, Mayor, Ustabasi, Healy-Byrne, Lancaster, Whelan, Ormerod

Unused substitutes: Smith 

Goals: Blackett 52’ McGurk 54’ Ormerod 87’

Attendance: 2678