South Shields joint-manager left 'deeply frustrated' after draw with rivals Morpeth Town

South Shields joint-manager Lee Picton was left “deeply frustrated” by his side’s goalless draw against North East rivals Morpeth Town.
South Shields joint-manager left 'deeply frustrated' after draw with rivals Morpeth Town [Picture: Peter Talbot]South Shields joint-manager left 'deeply frustrated' after draw with rivals Morpeth Town [Picture: Peter Talbot]
South Shields joint-manager left 'deeply frustrated' after draw with rivals Morpeth Town [Picture: Peter Talbot]

It was just over eight months since the two sides battled to a 1-1 draw at Craik Park – and Tuesday night’s meeting on South Tyneside produced another bruising encounter.

The Mariners went closest to opening the scoring as striker Jason Gilchrist struck the crossbar with a header midway through the first half.

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Substitute Darius Osei also went close just after the hour-mark when he beat the offside side trap before sending a powerful effort high and wide of the angle of crossbar and post.

The visitors also wasted chances, with striker Jack Foalle guilty of wasting two opportunities to help them secure all three points in their first game after a two-week lay-off caused by a positive Covid-19 test in their squad.

Mariners joint-manager Picton insisted that his side were the more likely to edge a tight contest – and called on his players to find their scoring touch once again after failing to find the net in their last two home games.

He told The Gazette: “We have come away deeply frustrated because we feel we dominated the game in lots of ways and created some really good opportunities.

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“It’s two games off the bounce where we have completely dominated, but we have just one point to show from them.

“This sort of spell happens to every team; we just have to double down and refocus our efforts to improve at that end of the pitch.

“It’s only a matter of time before we turn the corner.

“We are created chances, but maybe there is a tangible lack of confidence in and around the final third.

“That is not just the forwards, we are getting into good situations and creating some chances, but I would argue we should be creating more.

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“Our play in the first two thirds of the pitch is really strong, we just need to find that extra quality and composure, and maybe a bit of luck in the box.”

The Mariners now turn their attention towards Saturday’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie against National League club FC Halifax Town.