SHIELDS HEROES DENIED A PLAY-OFF

SOUTH SHIELDS will be playing National League North football next season after they missed out on the play-offs despite a convincing final-day win.

- Liam Brusby

First-half goals from former Gateshead strikers Aaron Martin and Paul Blackett as well as a second-half strike by Heed loanee Jordan Hunter secured three points and eighth place in the Mariners first season in the sixth tier.

Mariners boss Elliot Dickman believes his side were unfortunate to miss out on post season football.

“I’m really pleased with the result, really pleased with how we played,” said Dickman. “But bitterly disappointed that we just missed out on the play-offs. It is where we deserved to be. The players are a fantastic group and they deserved a hell of a lot more.”