South Shields’ season ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 2-0 National League North play-off final defeat to Kidderminster Harriers - here are the player ratings from the match.
Kidderminster did the double over Shields during the regular season to effectively deny them the National League North title. Now they have pipped them to promotion with a third win in the play-off final at the 1st Cloud Arena.
Shields were on top in the opening exchanges with Sean McGurk, Sonny Finch and Paul Blackett all having good opportunities to open the scoring without testing Christian Dibble in the Kidderminster goal.
It took the visitors 19 minutes to create their first opportunity as Ryley Reynolds’ acrobatic effort sailed harmlessly out for a goal kick to Shields.
But the Harriers scored with their first meaningful chance of the game as Kieren Donnelly pounced on a cross into the box to make it 1-0 from close range. The away side doubled their lead less than two minutes later through Charlie Cooper’s deflected strike.
At half-time, Shields had it all to do as they looked to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the second half.
Finch should have pulled a goal back for Shields within minutes of the restart, but couldn’t keep his effort down.
Shields huffed and puffed to try and find a way back into the game in the second half but Kidderminster’s defence proved stubborn as they saw out the win to secure promotion to the National League.
Meanwhile, Shields now prepare for a fourth season in the National League North in 2026/27.
Here are the player ratings from the match...
1. Tom Watson - 5
Alert off his line and distributed the ball well to clear any danger. Could only watch as Kidderminster took the lead. Caught out for the second goal following a close range deflection. | Kevin Wilson
2. Dan Dodds - 7
Showed some real attacking quality down the right at times, with a great move to set up Jack Roles. Almost found the net himself with a cross at the end of the first half. | Kevin Wilson
3. Robbie Tinkler - 7
Good composure and distribution out from the back. Read the game well at key moments to sweep things up but will have been disappointed with Kidderminster's opener after letting his man get a header away. Tried to grab the game and push his team back into it. Headed just wide late on. | Kevin Wilson
4. Ethan Mann - 6
Almost played a lovely ball through to release Sonny Finch. Not tested as much as the scoreline would suggest and mostly remained calm under pressure. | Kev Wilson