Marske United fought valiantly from start to finish in a remarkable - yet somewhat surprising - victory over third-placed Shildon at the John Keegan Stadium.

The Seasiders took the game to the promotion-hopefuls inside the half hour, leading at the break through Jey Draper after tenacious work from Finn McKittrick.

Oscar Mahoney added a second, whilst Tyler Goodman’s sensational solo goal sealed the spoils. Ben Reay and Alfie Steels were both on target for the visitors.

A mild evening at the John Keegan Stadium, it was Shildon who looked the more likely to score in the opening twenty minutes, despite seeing less of the ball.

Mike Algie was quick to react to deny Alfie Steels with an outstretched leg, whilst Leighton Harris shaped up to fire wide from distance following a quick break.

Marske’s first real opportunity came through great persistence from Finn McKittrick. He worked hard to win the ball back high up the pitch, slipping it through to Jey Draper to apply the finish from close-range.

Shildon came close to restoring parity when Joe Posthill proved inches away from meeting Ben Reay’s cross. Alfie Steels won a rare header in the six-yard box, though failed to test Mike Algie.

Young midfield starlet Oscar Mahoney capped off another excellent performance with a goal when play resumed. He fired home during a goalmouth scramble to double the Seasiders’ lead.

David Vincent and Joe Posthill both had opportunities to reduce the deficit. Vincent fired high and wide - striking a nearby window - whilst Algie was again alert to thwart a low effort from the latter.

Ben Reay did offer the visitors hope with twenty minutes to play. He beat Mike Algie at close-range to swing the momentum in favour of the promotion-hopefuls.

With pressure building, second half substitute Tyler Goodman seized the opportunity to run from deep. He cut inside, slipping the ball underneath a rather forlorn Andrew Jennison to put the game to bed.

Alfie Steels did add a second for the visitors in the seventh of six additional minutes, but when the final whistle blew, it was those in yellow jubilant in celebration.