SOUTH Shields recorded their fourth consecutive victory on Saturday at Esh Winning, but for the second time in 10 days had to recover from a two-goal first-half deficit.
Esh Winning started the game on the front foot, and inside five minutes Danny Craggs collected a ball from David Fort and outpaced his marker before firing a shot just wide from the edge of the box.
On quarter-hour Craggs was again involved as Esh
again forced their way through the Shields defence. Craggs floated the ball to Kieran Megran, who fired a shot from the angle of the box that was well saved by Niki Lawson in the Shields goal.
Lawson sent a long clearance to Tony Coe, who attacked down the right, but his progress was halted when he was brought down as he headed towards goal.
Craig Ellison sent the resulting free kick deep into the Esh box, but former Mariner Stephen Banks rose above the Shields forwards to clear the danger.
A minute later Shields pressed forward again, Chris Feasey found Jonny Wightman in the box, he collected the ball, and turned to fire a shot from an acute angle which was saved by keeper Gareth Young's outstretched foot.
From the clearance Megran found Stuart Thompson in space, and he fired the ball past Lawson to put the hosts 1-0 up.
Shields responded well, with Anth Robson finding Chris Feasey wide on the left. He beat his man on the touchline before sending a cross into the box, but once again Banks was on hand to clear the danger.
Shields continued to press forward, and on 24 minutes Coe combined with Wightman to release Ellison, whose shot was blocked , and Robson's follow-up flew over the bar.
Within a minute Esh had doubled their advantage. Tony Hanson crossed the ball to Craggs, who was unmarked on the edge of the box. He made no mistake, crashing the ball home from 10 yards.
With 30 minutes on the clock Coe again raced down the right before releasing Wightman, who once again had his shot blocked by the defence.
Ellison floated the resulting corner into the box, but Alex Wilson headed clear.
Shields continued to press forward, and when Wightman collected the ball in the centre of the park and shot past the keeper, Hanson was on hand to head off the line.
A minute later and Shields again went close, Ellison crossing for Stephen Ramsey, whose header was too high.
Deep into added time, Shields were awarded a free kick on the angle of the box, and Ellison's effort hit the bar, with the keeper well beaten.
Shields got off to the best possible start in the second half, reducing the arrears immediately.
Ellison collected the ball from a corner on the right, and he fired it across goal, where Feasey sent a powerful header past Young.
Shields maintained the pressure, and on 50 minutes Tony Stephenson found Feasey wide on the left. He beat his man before crossing to Ramsey, whose header grazed the top of the bar.
A minute later Shields were awarded a free kick inside the box when Young picked up a back pass, but Ellison's shot hit the wall and was cleared.
Around the hour mark Young was twice called into action, saving first from Ellison and then Wightman.
On 65 minutes Ellison found Wightman in space from a free kick 30 yards out, and he beat his man before rifling a shot towards goal that Young turned round for a corner.
Ramsey then headed against the bar as Shields took the game to their hosts, but with 15 minutes left they eventually got their equaliser.
Hal Graham won the ball on the right and raced down the touchline before crossing to Craig Armstrong, who headed Shields level.
Shields were now in the ascendancy, and within a minute they were ahead.
Craig Armstrong collected the ball in the centre of the park, and from the edge of the box he floated the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net off the underside of the bar.
Esh were stung into action and pushed forward, winning a free kick on the left. Craggs curled it round the defensive wall, but he was denied by a good save from Lawson.
A minute later Esh broke forward again, but with the goal at his mercy Dane Wilson fired over the bar from 10 yards.
With the game deep into added time Shields won a free kick 25 yards from goal in a central position; David Graham stepped forward, and rifled the ball round the wall, giving Young no chance, and securing a 4-2 victory.
Shields are next in action on Wednesday, when they take on local rivals Jarrow Roofing at Filtrona Park in the Durham Challenge Cup (7.30pm kick off).
Then on Saturday they entertain Whitley Bay at Filtrona Park in the Skilltrainingltd Northern League Division One.
