Making use of a strong wind, the visitors put the game beyond Garforths' reach in a scrappy first half with goals from Ben Wood, Samual Hodgson and James Harwood.

Shildon made a flying start on nine minutes. Dominic Smith struggled with his kicking in the first half and Wood took full advantage of one of these by returning the ball inside Smiths' near post.

There was a touch of good fortune about the second goal. Andy Hawksworth was left poleaxed by a ball in the face, leaving Garforth a man short in defence. Shildon worked the ball well and Hodgson swept them into a two goal lead.

The goal that really clinched it, after just thirty two minutes, was nodded in by Harwood, from a perfect whipped in free kick by captain, John Brackstone.

Alex Booker slotted home an “eye of the needle” pass from Gary Storer to give the home fans hopes of another barnstorming finish.
The comeback could have been on when the ever lively CJ Lyle appeared to be taken out in the penalty area. He was controversially booked for diving though.

As time was running out for Garforth, Smith misjudged a high ball, grasping the air as it bounded over him, leaving Darren Richardson to hook the ball into an empty net.

A game littered with niggly bookings always had the possibility of a red card. Tawanda Rupere was the unfortunate recipient, giving him the first sending off of his career for a second yellow after a desperate tackle on Richardson.

Overall, it was a deserved away win for Shildon, but Garforth will be rueing a few defensive errors that made it slightly too easy for their visitors.

Attendance - 166

Garforth : Dominic Smith, Gary Stohrer, Andy Hawksworth, Nick Allen, Jack Kirk, Joe Woodger, Tawanda Rupere, Josh Greenhalgh, Nick Black, C J Lyle, Alex Booker.

Shildon : Lewis Graham, Ben Christenson, John Brackstone, Carl Jones, Darren Craddock, Stephen Turnbull, James Harwood, Samual Hodgson, Paul Connor, Ben Wood, Samual Garvie