Late heartache for Jarrow Roofing at Marske

Third-placed Marske were looking to close the gap on Northern League Division One leaders Shildon and the Seasiders were quick to take hold of the game forcing Dan Regan to make two early saves.

But Roofing were looking dangerous on the break with fleet-footed James Fairley causing panic in the home defence when he attacked down the right wing on a number of occasions in the first half.

Yet despite their danger on the break through Fairley, Roofing struggled to create a good effort on Robert Dean’s goal for much of the first half.

The best chance of the half came the way of Marske when Anth Myers headed against his own bar when defending a Glen Butterworth corner and then when the rebound was stabbed back towards goal, Regan pulled off a fine reaction save.

Minutes later and it was Marske defending desperately as Alex White delivered a cross from the left that Dean travelled for but missed and Kerry Hedley glanced a header towards goal that was cleared off the line by the sliding Liam O’Sullivan.

With Roofing disciplined in the approach to the game, they started to take control more in the second half with some purposeful attacks, but it was the home side who took the lead with 20 minutes remaining.

Austin Johnston received the ball in a central position and junking to his left to create a yard of space, the midfielder unleashed a left-footed drive from the edge of the box that gave Regan no chance.

Three minutes later saw the introduction of Michael Mackay from the bench and the Roofing substitute took another three minutes before firing a deserved equaliser.

Hedley slipped the ball forward into the box and Mackay beat his marker to drill a low shot past Dean.

With Roofing looking to collect what would have been a great point after a fine performance, they were then creators of their own downfall when Myers was caught dwelling on the ball in the centre of defence and when Connor Hood dispossessed him, the Marske sub was left with a shooting opportunity which he took to strike past Regan and claim all three points for the Seasiders.