South Shields have moved level on points with Tamworth at the top of the Vanarama National League North after a fiercely contested draw with play-off rivals Buxton.
Possession was shared evenly in the first half as both sides had major chances to score, Buxton’s Eoin Mckeown coming the closest as his long range attempt rattled against the crossbar.
Both players and fans of the home side became increasingly frustrated with the referee’s decisions by the end of the first half. Eventually boiling over when man-of-the-match Jed Abbey was booked for dissent after his penalty appeal was denied.
The winning goal came in the 60th minute when striker Paul Blackett latched onto CJ Clarke’s cross with a looping header over the powerless Max Dearnley.
Despite moving joint-top of the table, Mariners boss Julio Arca remains cautious, claiming “it’s a long league, there’s still a lot of games to play and we should take it game by game”
South Shields’ next game falls on November 11 as they take on Southport.
