By Andrew McDonnell (@AndrewSJourno)

Mark Davison’s dramatic late header secured Morpeth Town a point against league-leaders South Shields in front of over 2,000 fans at Mariners Park.

Carl Finnigan put the hosts ahead after just three minutes when he lashed the ball home from close range.

The game lacked clear-cut chances and Morpeth managed to snatch a point at the death as Davison headed into the bottom corner to end Shields’ 32-game winning streak.

Morpeth now know that two wins from their final three games will secure them second-place in the Northern League Division One – their highest ever league finish.

Nick Gray and Dave Malone’s men had won 10 consecutive games going into the top-of-the-table clash, but found themselves behind after just three minutes.

Wayne Phillips’ free-kick from the right was headed back across the six-yard box by Jon Shaw, and Finnigan was able to pounce and fire the ball home.

The Mariners started quickly and Morpeth were certainly made to defend in the opening exchanges, the next chance, however, came just before the half-hour mark.

Gavin Cogdon was played through on goal and got to the ball ahead of the oncoming Karl Dryden, but fortunately, Chris Reid was able to clear the forward’s lofted effort.

Phillips came close to doubling the Mariners’ advantage on 36 minutes when he gathered Craig Baxter’s cross and drilled the ball into the side-netting.

Liam Connell’s goal-kick sailed over the Morpeth back line and Cogdon’s first-time lofted effort evaded Dryden’s goal.

David Foley’s drilled ball across the six-yard area was just out of the reach of Cogdon, and on the stroke of half-time, Morpeth had their first chance.

Ben Sayer’s corner was headed on at the near post by Jordan Fry, and Liam Henderson’s follow-up was gathered by the Shields ‘keeper.

The Mariners came close to going two-up 18 seconds after the restart, Cogdon firing across goal and wide from the edge of the area.

Henderson shot wide at the other end moments later, and the visitors started to gain momentum in search of an equaliser.

Keith Graydon went close when his free-kick curled just over the bar, and Morpeth were denied an equaliser when Connell produced a sublime save to deny Henderson.

Substitute Davison nodded the ball into the path of Graydon, who picked out Henderson at the back post and the forward’s looping header was tipped over the bar.

Julio Arca’s through ball on 69 minutes put Finnigan through on goal, and Dryden made a brilliant save with his legs to deny Shields a second goal.

Cogdon had a chance to seal victory with 10 minutes to go, the forward was unmarked and volleyed wide of Dryden’s goal.

Substitute Robert Briggs fired over the bar soon after and the hosts looked likely to lift the league title in front of there own fans.

However, Morpeth had other ideas. Taylor’s corner swung in to the back post and Davison headed into the bottom corner for the equaliser.

Washington are the visitors at Craik Park on Wednesday night, and Markse United next Saturday before the season closes with a trip to Newton Aycliffe.

South Shields: Connell, Baxter (Storey, 61), Callaghan, Shaw, Lough, Arca, Stephenson (Briggs, 84), Phillips, Cogdon, Finnigan, Foley (Richardson, 70)

Subs Not Used: Smith, Jameson

Morpeth Town: Dryden, Forster, Turner, Sayer, Hall, Reid, Taylor, Graydon, Fry (Davison, 55), Henderson, Walton

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Morris, Anderson, Grieve

Goals: 1-0, 3 min, Finnigan; 1-1, 90+1 min, Davison

Referee: Chris Keightley

Assistants: Jamie Cann and Lewis Game

Attendance: 2,054

Photo: South Shields FC Twitter