Match report by Dom Bingham.

Dunston fell to a second consecutive defeat as Shildon came from behind to claim all three points in County Durham. An early Jack Elliott piledriver was cancelled out by a controversial penalty converted by Dean Thexton, before Jack Vaulks headed home to give the Railwaymen victory at Dean Street.

Shildon had the first big chance of the game, a deep free kick went unchallenged in the box, bouncing to striker Thexton who was unable to turn home from just six yards out. 

The hosts were punished for that miss as just a few minutes later, Luke Porritt forayed forward, played through Jack Elliott who took aim from the edge of the box. His shot flew across the face of goal, hitting the far post and ending up in the back of the net to give Dunston the lead. 

Dunston continued to enjoy attacks down the left-hand side, first Elliott had a mazy run into the box which pulled a smart save down low from Shildon keeper Shaun Newbrook, before Scott Heslop put a header over the bar following a cross from the winger. 

As half time approached, Shildon were awarded a controversial penalty. A lofted ball wasn’t dealt with by the Dunston backline, and as Liam Connell came and punched the ball clear, he was adjudged to have fouled Thexton. Despite no flag from the linesman and no real penalty shouts from the home support, the referee pointed to the spot. Thexton stepped up and made no mistake, rifling the ball straight down the middle to level the tie.

Down the other end moments later, Lee Mason was upended, only for the referee to brandish a yellow card for the Dunston striker, unsurprisingly poorly received by the travelling Dunston army.

In the second half, Shildon carried on where they left off and had the majority of the early momentum. Will McCamley lashed a volley just wide of Connell’s left post from a corner before the hosts took the lead. Another corner swung in by Joe Posthill was headed in by centre half Vaulks as neither Connell nor the Dunston defence could get anything on the inswinging ball to clear.

Despite Shildon having further opportunities through Michael Sweet and Posthill to increase their advantage, Dunston rallied and kept battling in search of a goal to get them a deserved point. Terry Galbraith bought down a ball well and had a powerful shot which was blocked,  Ursene Mouanda took aim from 25 yards out with a shot that went narrowly wide, and Galbraith again headed goalwards, but nothing would go in for Dunston in what turned out to be a frustrating day at the office.

A battling performance, but no points to show for it as Shildon held on for the victory. Dunston will feel hard done by with a number of the officiating decisions, but all focus now turns to Tuesdays trip to Pickering Town.

Dunston UTS FC Man of the match awarded to Jack Elliott

Jack Elliott is kindly sponsored by:

Home shirt - Derwent Dental Studio

Away shirt - Derwent Dental Studio

3rd shirt - Mr Graham Rowley

Training kit - Mick Clark