The 2-2 draw away from home has given boss Gary Steadman a lift as his side try to get away from the wrong end of the table, although he may be disappointed not to pick up all three points after they led 2-0.

Shields almost opened the scoring inside 90 seconds when Willie Crew found Jonny Wightman in space, but his shot hit the post before narrowly going wide with the rebound.

Wightman, however, was not to be denied on four minutes when his 30-yard volley beat Ben Escritt in the Synthonia goal.

Wightman then saw a shot well saved by Escritt, before Shields increased their advantage on 21 minutes.

Michael Rodenby sent a long ball to Craig Ellison on the edge of the box, and he calmly side-stepped the defence before firing home from 15 yards.

The goal spurred Shields on as they maintained the pressure on the home defence, and Wightman – having his best game in a Shields shirt – was a constant thorn in the side of the home defence, firing over the bar from the edge of the box on the half-hour.

With eight minutes of the half remaining, Synners created their first clear-cut chance as Colin Iley latched onto a long ball over the Shields defence, but Andy Clark parried the ball.

But with the second half only 45 seconds old, Synners reduced the arrears as they capitalised on an error by Shields, and former Middlesbrough star Craig Hignett fired home from close range.

Shields continued to press, and Crew, Ellison and Wightman all went close, but with 10 minutes remaining Synners were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Shields box, which Hignett curled into the top corner to restore parity.

Shields still could have won the game, but Crew's shot was tipped over the bar by the keeper and it ended all square.