Match Report: South Shields 0-0 Southport

South Shields were held to a scoreless draw against Southport in their penultimate home game of the season on Saturday.

It was a game of few chances, but the outcome was a point which successfully halted Shields’ run of five consecutive defeats in the Vanarama National League North.

That result means the Mariners find themselves in 16th place on 53 points, with just three games remaining. 

Manager Elliott Dickman handed the young James Sloan his second start, following an impressive shift last time out against Brackley Town.

Dillon Morse and Tom Allan were notable entries into the squad, both making the bench.

Shields did start the game off brightly, with the first chance falling to Paul Blackett.

He received the ball after a nice piece of play from Sloan, as well as player of the match Mackenzie Heaney, but his effort flew over the bar.

Danny Lloyd - who scored against the Mariners in the reverse game back in October - could have repeated the feat in the 14th minute, but Martin Smith did well to prevent his shot going in.

Rather stunningly, Jack Doyle rattled an attempt off the crossbar just a few minutes later.

It appeared to be a cagey affair from that point and chances were very few and far between, although Smith and Heaney contributed to chances of note before the break.

‘Keeper Chris Renshaw impressed for the visitors to keep the score level as the teams restarted play, with his first save of the second-half being to prevent Alfie Myers-Smith’s chance on goal. 

Southport's backline was called into action in the 55th minute, after Blackett was sent through on goal by Heaney, and they managed to clear it away for a corner. 

Will Jenkins almost secured the game for Shields 15 minutes later after a flick-on from Gateshead loanee Allan, following a nicely-timed ball from ex-Heed star Dan Ward, but a bit of Southport pressure meant he couldn’t get on the end of it. 

Heaney delivered a sweet free-kick into the box around the 80th minute mark, and it appeared to be going in, if not for a confident stop by Renshaw. 

Although the advent of stoppage-time opened the game up, neither team could find the winner they needed and the game ended level. 

Up next for Dickman’s side is a visit to nearby Darlington on Good Friday.

South Shields: Seymour, Myers-Smith (Ward 61’), Sloan (Allan 61’), Briggs, Shepherd, Smith (McGowan 75’), Carson, Jenkins, Heaney, Blackett, Crossley (Morse 61’). 

Unused substitutes: Boney.

Southport: Renshaw, Doyle, Lloyd, Angus (Stafford 58’), Quansah, Moore, Hilton (Burgess 86’), Minihan, Russ (Proctor 75’), Philliskirk, Curran-Nicholls (Heath 75’). 

Unused substitutes: Pickles. 

Attendance: 1,605.

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19)