The Mariners kept faith with the team that defeated Penrith in a thrilling 2-1 away victory last week, and Shields started the brighter making the first opportunity of the game on two minutes when a Chris Feasey cross found the head of Jonny Wightman, but his attempt went wide of the goal.

Norton had their first chance on eight minutes when Michael Dunwell had a shot at goal, which was well held by Simon Parkin.

But Shields kept the pressure on and captain Lee Paul Scroggins had an attempt from 25 yards which went over the bar.

On 15 minutes Shields won a corner taken by Wightman, which found David Scorer who had a shot that was blocked by the Norton defence.

Wightman and Johnson had further chances to put the home side ahead but they were unable to break down the Norton & Stockton defence.

With half an hour gone Norton and Stockton began to put their own mark on the game with Dunwell shooting wide after an excellent build up.

Norton made the pressure count on 35 minutes when a corner came back out to Ian Clark who hit the ball sweetly first time on the half volley from 30 yards to beat Simon Parkin and make it 1-0 to the away side.

It was 2 - 0 six minutes later when a failed clearance by Graham Irving fell to Craig Lake who shot from 25 yards to beat Simon Parkin twice within the space of five minutes to make it 2-0 to Norton.

The second half started with Norton & Stockton maintaing the level of pressure, and Thomas Winspear had the best attempt to make it 3 - 0 when he found himself through on goal, but a superb save by Parkin in the Shields goal sent the ball for a corner.

And Winspear had another great chance to further extend the Norton & Stockton lead, but Simon Parkin made a superb stop to keep the Mariners in the game.

Lee O'Donovan and Marc Brocklehurst both had chances to claw Shieds back into the game, but both attempts were wide of the target.

Another great save by Shields goalkeeper Simon Parkin prevented Nathan Mulligan from scoring what appeared a clear chance to score.

Shields best chance of the game cam on 89 minutes when a superb run by Chris Feasey found Lee O'Donovan, but his shot from 12 yards was superbly saved by James Briggs in the Norton & Stockton goal.

South Shields will have another chance to confirm promotion on Tuesday night when they entertain fellow promotion hopefuls Sunderland RCA at Filtrona Park.

South Shields FC: Simon Parkin, Graham Irving, Michael Rodenby, Duncan O'Brien, David Scorer (Lee O'Donovan 55), James Oates, Jonny Wightman (Marc Brocklehurst 64), Lee Paul Scroggins, Willie Crew (David Graham 60), Mark Johnson, Chris Feasey.