TEAM: SPENCE, HOWARTH, ANKERS, MASON, NIVEN, EVERITT, JURY, MOORE, EMSON, MASTERS, COWAN

SUBS:  bULLYMENT, CLOUGH,

Shildon travelled to Salford City along with a good following of Shildon supporters hoping for another good Vase run. Salford were currently top of the North West Counties league so a tough match  was expected. Shildon started with a rearranged side from the victory against Jarrow Roofing the previous week, John Jury and Daniel Moore returned with Stuart Niven continuing as a centre half. Moore had the first attempt at goal in the first minute of the match but his long range shot was well wide. City went close in the 4th minute but Niven managed to snuff the danger out. Not for the first time this season poor defending cost Shildon a goal, Gary Ankers back header fell in the path of a the City winger who crossed onto the area for Moses to head home and give Salford the lead. The travelling supporters thought Shildon had a good shout for a penalty in the 10th minute when Master was held back in the box but the referee waved play on. Despite having a much depleted side Shildon managed to draw level on 14 minutes, a great ball by Niven gave Emson the chance to run at the City defence who did seem shaky, the young striker raced into the area and blasted the ball past Robertson in the City goal to make the scores level. Things looked good for Shildon at this stage with Robertson looking somewhat dodgy in goal, Masters long range effort was spilled by the keeper in the 20th minute and Shildon finally looked like they had started to settle down. This did not last for long as City began to turn the screw penning Shildon back in their own half for the remainder of the first half luckily without threatening Spence in the Shildon goal.

HALF TIME SHILDON 1-1 SALFORD CITY

Salford started the second half at a blistering pace and with just 4 minutes of the half gone they took the lead, Shildon were caught waiting for the linesman's flag, City striker Robinson nipped in and rounded Spence in the Shildon goal to put City 2-1 up. Salford had clearly been blasted at half time, their passing and movement was beginning to carve up the Shildon defence who were under constant pressure. City increased their lead in the 62nd minute after a quick free kick caught Shildon napping , this time it was Buckley who seized the opportunity to put City 3-1 up and gave Shildon a mountain to climb. Stuart Niven pushed up back into his normal midfield role to try and give Shildon more bite upfront. Sadly it was to late and with City in cruise control it was Robinson who bagged his second of the game in the 72nd minute to all but send Shildon out of this seasons Vase. Shildon looked shattered towards the end of the match and when Spence and Howarth had a Chuckle Brothers moment in the 73rd minute it was that man again Robinson who snapped up his third of the game and with it a place in the next round of the Vase. Salford finished the match the better side and in truth deserved their victory, Shildon battled hard in the first half but simply could not compete with Salford in the second half, a disappointing result for the mass travelling supporters who were hoping for a repeat of last seasons giant killing FA Vase campaign