With several players unavailable, manager Jamie Poole reluctantly named himself up front but had the bonus of Jack Stapley fit again after injury. The winger made his presence felt from early on, setting up Liam Darville for a diving header he planted narrowly wide after five minutes.

Stapley found himself clean through six minutes later but ‘keeper Callum Elliott made a vital save.

Town twice off got off the hook at the other end. Firstly, Luca Sartini made a vital goal-line clearance from Nelson Ogbewe and then, after 29 minutes, the Shields striker won a penalty following a challenge by Josh Allen.

Northallerton ‘keeper Oli Swan made a superb save from Lee Mason to keep the scores level. In an entertaining end-to-end tussle, Darville twice went close again only to be foiled by Elliott.

Shields took the lead after 54 minutes after Stephen Hall was left unmarked to head into the net. But Town were given a chance for redemption five minutes later when they were awarded their own spot-kick opportunity following a foul on James Boucher.

Elliott saved from Harry Healy in what proved to be a pivotal moment. Town left gaps at the back as they chased the game, and Shields took full advantage.

Lewis Suddick (66 mins), Dan Cherry (71 mins) and Luke Carr (90+1) punished the home side in front of their subdued fans.

Northallerton Town: Swan, Sartini (Beasley 70), Coatsworth, Boucher, Littlefair, Allen (Kitching 71), Healy, Darville, Poole (Townsend), Hopson, Stapley (Khadir 83).

Sub not used: Fairless.

North Shields: Elliott, Milmore, Blaney, Lough, Cherry, Anderson, Suddick, Wanless (Lish 62), Hall (Wilson 62), Mason, Ogbewe.

Subs not used: Carr, Carter.

Att: 221.