Ben Harmison’s heroics see South Shields continue their title tilt after victory at Mickleover Sports

Craig Baxter opened the scoring early on for the Mariners and Harmison made the points safe with a goal in each half.

Mickleover pulled one back towards the end, but were unable to force their way back into contention as Shields closed the gap at the top of the table to seven points, having played a game less than the top two.

They were dealt a double blow in the build-up to the trip to relegation-battling Mickleover, with Nathan Lowe and Connor Bell both ruled out with injuries.

And it was Sports who created the first opportunity, with a sweeping move leading to a shot from Shaquille McDonald which arrowed wide.

Shields asserted their dominance after that and took the lead on eight minutes.

After some intricate play on the left, Luke Daly played the ball across to Baxter, who nipped in front of his man, took a touch and buried an effort from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.

Mickleover were off target with two attempts from long range before Shields truly began to dominate, creating a number of good chances.

Lee Mason played an impressive disguised pass through to David Foley, but goalkeeper Lewis King closed the angle well to make the save.

More eye-catching football from the Mariners led to Robert Briggs playing in Foley and he looked certain to score, only for the ball to take a bobble, with Foley’s shot clearing the crossbar.

Shields were frustrated again when a brilliant 25 yard free-kick from Briggs beat King but struck the inside of the post before somehow bouncing to safety.

Less than a minute later, though, the Mariners did double their advantage.

Blair Adams came inside from the left channel and fizzed in a low shot which King parried to the feet of Harmison, who converted into an open goal from close range.

Harmison was one of a number of Shields players who proved to be a constant threat as Mickleover’s backline was kept busy.

However, the hosts almost pulled a goal back out of nothing three minutes before half-time as Nathan Jarman tried to catch out Liam Connell from distance, but the Shields goalkeeper pulled off a superb one-handed save to preserve the two-goal lead.

That could have been extended before half-time when a Briggs free-kick dropped to the feet of Harmison after some uncertainty at the back, only for King to react well to make the save.

He also saved from Foley before the break as Sports were given an opportunity to regroup.

Chances were harder to come by for the Mariners in the second half but they all but made the win safe on 58 minutes when Foley drove down the left and dug out a cross which Harmison stretched to turn home at the back post.

King kept Phil Turnbull off the scoresheet as he beat away his long-range effort before Mickleover almost pulled a goal back when substitute Jimmy Phillips weaved his way through and hit a goalbound effort which Shields captain Jon Shaw had to clear off the line.

Sports did get themselves a goal nine minutes before the end, with a corner from the left falling to the feet of substitute Tomas Junek, who squeezed an effort over the line from just inside the box.

The closest they came to a second was a 25 yard free-kick from Mason Warren which was deflected wide, before Durrell Berry headed a presentable opportunity over from the resulting corner.

Shields saw out the rest of the game to seal an important three points on a day which saw Farsley Celtic overtake Warrington Town at the top following the Yellows’ shock home defeat by Stafford Rangers.

The Mariners’ game in hand on the pair comes on Tuesday when they host Marine.

SOUTH SHIELDS: Connell, Baxter (Mouanda 82), Adams (Lough 75), Shaw (c), Morse, Turnbull, Mason (Gillies 61), Briggs, Harmison, Daly, Foley. Subs not used: Thompson, Cogdon.

Goals: Baxter (8), Harmison (26, 58).

Attendance: 294.