Newton Aycliffe FC v Shildon

A desperate last 20 mins cost Aycliffe the points at a bitterly cold Dean Street. Aycliffe finished the game with nine men with Andrew Green seeing red for a foul after an hour & Stuart Banks being dismissed for a second yellow card just before full-time. Green's dismissal led to a build up of pressure on the Aycliffe goal which in the end gave way despite the heroic efforts of keeper James Winter who was outstanding throughout the game.
It all started so well for the visitors with Dennis Knight scoring in the 6th minute, dribbling into the box & calmly slotting the ball past Shildon keeper Kyle Hayes. Aycliffe might have had a second on 38 mins when a Paul Garthwaite shot hit the post.
With two minutes to go to half-time Shildon came close to equalising when a free-kick from the edge of the box was tipped over the bar by Winter.
It looked like Aycliffe were going to increase the lead on 51 mins when Knight was played through but his chipped shot was off target.
It was always going to be difficult for Aycliffe to hang on after Green's sending off for a foul. From then Shildon came on strongly & with 20 minutes left Dan Mitton was forced to head off the line. The equaliser came two minutes later when the ball was played across the box & after a scramble found its way into the back of the net.
Aycliffe battled back & after 81 mins Banks had a strong shot from the edge of the box beaten away by the keeper. That, however, proved to be Aycliffe's last hope as two Shildon goals in the last 7 mins sealed the three points for the home side.