Marske United were beaten by play-off chasing Birtley Town on a frustrating afternoon at the John Keegan Stadium.

Dom Joynes had put the Seasiders ahead after seven minutes, before Reece Harrison levelled from a dead ball.

Nick Marley headed the Hoops in front when play resumed. Charlie Watt was shown a red card for his reaction to a contentious decision midway through the second half.

Despite the result, it was the Seasiders who made the brighter start on a mild afternoon at the John Keegan Stadium.

Joe Bennett’s headed effort was denied at full-stretch by Alfie Gordon, before makeshift forward Dom Joynes tucked away Leo Robinson’s incisive through ball.

It wasn’t long before Birtley took control of the contest. Charlie Aitken fired into the grasp of Mike Algie from range, before Liam Wotherspoon blazed over the bar.

Reece Harrison restored parity with a well-placed free kick on the stroke of halftime.

Charlie Watt came close to putting Marske back ahead when his delicate lob was chalked off for a foul in the build up.

Oscar Mahoney poked Leo Robinson’s cross behind at the far post, whilst Dom Joynes’ effort was too high following one of Joe Thompson’s long throws.

It was somewhat against the run of play when Nick Markey rose to loop a loose ball over the head of Mike Algie.

The Seasiders’ day took a turn from the worst from that point onwards. Jey Draper was felled by the last man, to no avail, as too was Charlie Watt.

Sam Hedley’s blatant shirt pull drew wild appeals from the terraces, though the only punishment would eventually fall the way of Watt - who was sent off for a rash reaction.

Joe Bennett was soon sin binned for sharing his frustrations, whilst Mike Algie was called upon to keep the deficit at one.

The shot-stopper denied Liam Wotherspoon, Nick Marley and Regan Patterson with a number of top stops, paving the way for a late challenge to muster an equaliser.

Kenzie Harker fired into the grasp of Alfie Gordon from range as Joe Bennett prodded wide, before James Rowe poked over from within a crowd of players with what proved the last opportunity of the game.