Buxton fall to narrow defeat against South Shields

The Bucks fell to a narrow defeat on the road against South Shields.

With Craig Elliott making a number of changes from the weekend Josh Granite, Jak McCourt and Connor Brown all returned to the starting lineup.

Ex Buck Mackenzie Heaney had the first chance of the game dragging the ball back before his long range shot was grasped by Max Dearnley.

The Bucks responded straight away with Curtis Weston winning the ball back from a press finding Sam Osborne whose shot was blocked before being cleared away.

South Shields had the best opportunity of the game so far in the 32nd minute after a through ball found Paul Blackett but Dearnley was quick off of his line to deny the striker.

Just before the break McCourt switched the ball to Eoin McKeown and  he cut in and curled a shot that hit the bar. The follow up came to Sam Minihan and his effort was blocked behind for a corner by Blair Adams.

The Mariners started the second half the better side with a powerful shot from Blackett testing The Bucks goalkeeper.

Granite almost gave Buxton lead from a corner as the ball fell down to him and his shot was saved down strong by Myles Boney in goal.

But it was the hosts that took the lead a minute later after CJ Clarke whipped the ball into the head of Blackett and his looped header found the top corner of the goal to make it 1-0.

And both of them nearly linked up again from the right hand side Clarke crossing it into Blackett who was unable to slide the ball into the net.

Osborne fired the ball over the bar with both sides then making a number of substitutions to freshen things up.

With The Bucks pushing hard late on McCourt with the final shot of the game came so close to finding an equaliser with his shot unable to find the target from inside the box.