After an entertaining midweek draw with play-off contenders Boro Rangers, Town put in another battling display in difficult blustery conditions. Two first-half goals put Shields firmly in charge and left their visitors with an uphill challenge.

With striker Dan Dryden unavailable, manager Jason Newall drafted in James Coatsworth to play a more advanced role and Josh Allen was back to replace player-coach Jamie Harwood in defence.

His side started well and applied early pressure before they were caught on the break for the first goal after 10 minutes. Centre-forward Nelson Ogbewe produced some good hold-up play to release Will McCamley, who raced in to beat ‘keeper Callum Dobson.

Shields’ high-press continued to pay dividends, with Dobson making a couple of smart saves in the swirling wind. Town kept their shape well, with Nathan Stephenson always the most likely to get on the scoresheet.

He tried his luck with a trademark long-range piledriver after 41 minutes that Shields ‘keeper Sean McCafferty was forced to turn round a post. Turning defence into attack again, Shields immediately tore down the other end doubled their advantage.

Ogbewe was again the provider, firing in a deep cross that Ben Dale diverted into his own goal while attempting to clear.

Town threw on a raft of substitutes in the second half but rarely looked like clawing back the deficit. As one of the league’s lowest-scoring teams, they clearly need attacking reinforcements.

The closing stages were overshadowed by a serious injury to Shields substitute Jack Donnison, who suffered a broken leg in what looked like an innocuous challenge. Town sportingly conceded stoppage time as the medics concentrated on getting the player to hospital.

North Shields: McCafferty, Williamson (Donnison 66), Lough, Downey (Casssidy 70), Coppen, Anderson, McCamley, Anderson, Ogbewe (Harmison 79), Holmes, Suddick (Wanless 70).

Northallerton Town: Dobson, Dale, Cocks, Darville, Allen, Galbraith (Nicholas 74), Stapley (Banks 83), Wallker, Coatsworth (Tew 79), Stephenson, Hume.

Subs not used: Harwood, Kitching.

Man of the Match: Josh Allen.