A first Dunston goal for Harvey Neary, and a first goal for Sado Djalo since September, put Dunston ahead going into the half-time break. The Robins showed grit as Dean and Jamie Holmes netted inside the first ten minutes of the second half to complete the comeback.

Jon McDonald continued to rotate his squad in pre-season with Dan Lowson, Harvey Neary, Scott Lowery, JJ Chrisp and Sado Djalo all coming into the starting lineup. 

It was the perfect start as Harvey Neary took aim from the right hand side and saw his shot saved by Hodgson, but he was able to guide the rebound into the back of the net with a looping effort inside the first five minutes.

The hosts always looked a threat and almost benefitted from some sloppy play at the back from Dunston on 19 minutes. A weak pass from Lowson saw McCamley swoop in, but his effort was denied by a vital block from Scott Lowery.

Just before the half-hour mark, Dunston doubled their advantage as Djalo added his name to the scoresheet. Dale Pearson burst down the left and drilled a low cross across the six-yard box where Djalo was lurking to prod the ball home at the back post.

Two more big chances fell for either side in the final five minutes of the first half. First, Holmes managed to burst his way through for the hosts, finding himself one-on-one with Lowson, however he fluffed his lines and the chance went begging. Finn Hodgson then produced a fine save down to his left to deny Dale Pearson.

Dunston made five changes at half-time with Aaron Steavens, Craig Baxter, Jack Walker, Josh Gilchrist and Dan Turner all entering the fray.

North Shields began to find themselves on top in the early stages of the second half and were rewarded on 54 minutes when Dean Holmes halved the deficit. Some good build up play, and an excellent cross from McCamley, saw Holmes head home from close range to hand The Robins a lifeline.

Half-time substitute Josh Gilchrist almost restored the two-goal lead just a few minutes later when he cut inside onto his right foot and smashed the crossbar with a curling effort.

On 56 minutes, the hosts found an equaliser when Jamie Holmes found himself in some space on the edge of the box and drilled a low, driven shot into the bottom corner.

With 64 minutes played, Dunston were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after a foul on Chrisp. Dale Pearson stepped up, but his effort was fizzed over the crossbar. Dale then came close again just five minutes later when he was played in on goal but dragged his left-footed effort across the face of goal.

The chances kept falling for Dunston and this time Dan Turner almost got his first goal for the club. A deep cross from Chrisp found Turner at the back post, but his first-time volley was blazed over the target.

On 86 minutes, Richard Coulson took aim just outside the penalty area, but the effort on goal was once again off target with the game finishing all-square.

Report by Callum Pattison 

Image Credit - Beauty Time Photography