Bay denied as Shildon stage late comeback

SHILDON 2 WHITLEY BAY 1
Saturday 29th February 2020
Two goals in the last ten minutes turned this game on its head just when it looked as if Whitley would come away victorious from promotion chasing Shildon.
Not for the first time this season Whitley were on the wrong end of a controversial and game changing decision by the match officials when an equalising goal was awarded nine minutes from time despite the scorer looking well offside.
Neither side had been in action for three weeks due to the recent wet weather and it took some time for the game to come to life. Whitley had the strong and gusty wind at their backs in the first half and long balls out of defence threatened to cause problems for the Railwaymen but twice keeper Shaun Newbrook got to the bouncing ball ahead of Mark Robinson. James Fairley tested Newbrook early on with a shot from the left which the keeper palmed away to safety.
Just before the quarter hour, Shildon went close but a shot from Danny Craggs was deflected just past the upright. The wind was making it difficult for both sides and there were few chances on goal. When Shildon broke forward, the Bay defence held firm with Scott Lowery making well timed tackles to avert any danger.
With 39 minutes played, Tom Bexton’s cross into the box brought a diving header from Robinson but he failed to find the target.
Up to this stage neither side had really looked like scoring but two minutes before the interval Callum Anderson’s ball into the Shildon box was not cleared and after Robinson and Taylor both attempted to get in shots, the ball rebounded to Coleby Shepherd who from 18 yards out drilled the ball through the home defence and into the net to give Whitley the lead, which they retained at half time.
Despite facing the elements after the break, Whitley started well and pegged Shildon back in their own half. The home side looked out of sorts and they made a triple substitution midway through the half in an effort to improve their game. Chances remained at a premium with Whitley struggling to break down a strong home defence while at the other end, Dan Lister was not being seriously troubled.
Ten minutes from time, Shildon substitute Thexton headed over the bar when he should have done better, but less than two minutes later they drew level, when a ball was played through from midfield and was flicked on to Trotter who looked at least two yards offside and he slotted the ball past Lister. When the goal was awarded Whitley defenders immediately questioned the officials and the referee eventually went over to consult his assistant. After some discussion, the goal was confirmed much to the surprise of fans of both clubs.
Back came Whitley and substitute Ben Davison shot narrowly wide. However it was the home side who, urged on by their fans, pushed forward with more determination that at any previous stage of the game. Still Whitley resisted but in the 90th minute, miscommunication between Lister and defender James Martin resulted in a tangle just inside the box and a penalty was awarded. Michael Sweet beat Lister’s dive to put the Railwaymen in front to secure all three points and lift Shildon into second place.
Some home fans described it as a ‘smash and grab’ victory but few could deny that the result was harsh on Whitley, who had done enough to earn at least a share of the spoils.
WHITLEY BAY: Lister, Bexton, Martin, Orrell, Taylor, Lowery, Fairley(Davison 73mins), Anderson, Robinson, Bennett(Olsen 86mins), Shepherd(Colquhoun 65mins)
Substitutes not used: Proctor, Salmon
Cautions; None
Attendance: 346
Referee: John Mulligan