South Shields 4-2 Billingham Town: Win overshadowed by Daly injury

South Shields saw off Billingham Town in an entertaining tie to book their place in the quarter-final of the Durham Challenge Cup – but the win was overshadowed by a knee injury sustained by Luke Daly.

Daly was 12 minutes into his comeback from a five-month lay-off when he was stretchered off to leave his Shields team-mates in sombre mood.

They were already a goal ahead at that stage thanks to a fine finish from Lee Mason and he netted again 11 minutes before half-time to double the advantage.

Northern League side Billingham threatened a comeback when Dan Flounders quickly pulled a goal back but Callum Guy’s strike just before the break restored the Mariners’ two-goal lead.

Daly’s replacement Josh Gillies – himself making a comeback from a long-term injury – struck Shields’ fourth in the second half and although Luke Hogan would later add Billingham’s second, it was the home side which made it through to a home quarter-final against Stockton Town.

Full report to follow.

SOUTH SHIELDS: Coombe, Baxter, Charlton (Adams 61), Ross, Morse, Errington, Daly (c) (Gillies 15), Guy, Hodgson (Alli 61), Jenkins, Mason. Subs not used: Hunter, Gonzales.

Goals: Mason (7, 34), Guy (45+1), Gillies (60).

Attendance: 444.

WORDS: Daniel Prince. IMAGE: Kev Wilson.