Boss Gary Steadman had spoken in midweek of the threat posed by Ryton hotshot Mark Walton, and it was the former Newcastle United trainee who bagged the only goal of the game in the first half.

Shields had started well, and Simon Fitzpatrick had already gone close before James Oates sent a delicate chip towards goal, which Ben Starford tipped over the bar at full stretch.

From the resulting corner, former Ryton man Glenn Reay fired wide from the edge of the box.

But Ryton began to enjoy a period of pressure, and on 23 minutes were rewarded as Walton fired home from wide on the left flank to give the home side the advantage.

Shields were sparked into action by the goal, but were unable to restore parity as first Jonny Wightman and then Craig Ellison had shots saved by Starford in the Ryton goal.

As the half entered the last five minutes, Wightman was again denied by the home keeper, and Fitzpatrick had a shot blocked on the line.

Ryton almost doubled their advantage as Liam McBryde outpaced the Shields defence, and only a combination of Andy Clark and Duncan O'Brien kept the ball from crossing the line.

Ash Davis saw his shot well saved by the home keeper before Shields were awarded a penalty as Ellison was brought down.

The midfielder picked himself up to take the kick, but was denied as Starford made a superb save diving to his right.

The Ryton keeper then denied Chris Feasey, Reay and Justin Perry inside the last 15 minutes as the home goal came under seige.

But Shields couldn't find the equaliser, and lost by a single goal for the eighth time this season.