South Shields make it three defeats in a row for Worksop Town
Manager Craig Parry was keen to take the positives out of another defeat for Worksop Town on Tuesday night.
The club slipped to a third National League North defeat in a row, losing 3-1 at second-placed South Shields after going down by the same score at Curzon Ashton on Saturday.
“I thought we coped well against a side that’s far superior to most sides in the league,” said Parry.
“I thought we looked strong at 1-1, but individual errors, which you can’t give away against a side like that, killed us really.
“I can’t fault the lads’ effort, desire, and commitment.
"I thought we were exceptional, but we were beaten by a better side.
“It’s important that we bounce back.
"We’re going into a period now where points are vital and we have a lot of cup finals that start on Saturday."
Shields showed their quality in the first half as they almost netted on the 28th minute when Sonny Finch glided past a few Tigers defenders before finding Dan Ward at the back post, but his shot didn’t trouble the keeper.
The hosts took the lead on the 44th minute as a ball was played across the face of goal to Paul Blackett, who made no mistake with his finish.
But the Tigers didn’t let this affect them, and they equalised just a minute later as Luke Hall clipped a ball into Josh Wilde, who headed into the top right corner on the swivel.
After the break, the Mariners retook the lead from a short corner, which was whipped into the centre of the box for Blackett, who got enough of a connection to turn into the back of the net.
With 10 minutes to go, the hosts nearly grabbed a third as Finch fizzed the ball across the box for Sean McGurk, who couldn’t get a shot away.
The Tigers committed men forward, and that’s when Shields pounced as they added their third in the 87th minute, as a ball into the box gave Derby County loanee Lennon Wheeldon a simple finish.
Worksop, who sit 19th, six points clear of the drop zone, will now look to achieve their first win in four as they take on bottom of the league Leamington at home on Saturday. The visitors have only won four of their 32 games so far.