David Graham saw his spot-kick saved, as the Mariners slipped further into the Division One relegation mire.

The only goal of the game came in the sixth minute when Colin Iley got the last touch to poke the ball home following a goalmouth scramble.

At the other end, it was the same old story for Shields, with numerous chances going begging.

Strikers Mark Johnson and Dean Patton have both left the club, signing for Division Two sides Crook Town and Birtley Town respectively, but the remaining forwards on Shields's books failed to deliver again last night.

Boss Gary Steadman said: "It was the same old story.

"We seemed to give them too much respect in the first 20 minutes.

"They played around us, and got a free-kick on the halfway line. We didn't pick up the wide man, he knocked it into the box and their striker has got there first to score.

"But after that, our keeper hasn't had a save to make. We have made three or four great chances, but haven't scored.

"Then in the last minute, it looks like we're going to get the rub of the green when we get a penalty, which I thought was harsh, but Davie Graham's put it right in the corner, only to see their keeper make a
great save."

Jonny Wightman had a shot saved and headed a cross from debutant Craig Ellison over the bar.

After the interval, Ash Davis's header bounced over the bar, then five minutes later Wightman's free-kick curled round the defensive wall, only to strike the outside of the post.

Shields continued to mount attack after attack, but the Billingham defence held firm until the last minute, when the referee ruled that Tony Coe's shot was handled in the box. Graham stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Synners keeper Ben Escritt denied him.