St Ives Town 1-3 (aet) AFC Shildon --- FA Vase Fifth Round --- ST IVES Town s progress in the FA Vase came to a cruel end against Shildon, as two extra-time goals eliminated the Saints at the Fifth Round for the third year in a row. The game seemed to ha

St Ives Town 1-3 (aet) AFC Shildon ---

FA Vase Fifth Round ---

ST IVES Town's progress in the FA Vase came to a cruel end against Shildon, as two extra-time goals eliminated the Saints at the Fifth Round for the third year in a row.

The game seemed to have swung in the home team's favour when Ozie Foster sent a packed Westwood Road wild with an equaliser three minutes from the end of normal time, but Shildon withstood the pressure and netted a breakaway goal in each half to advance to the quarter-finals.

Ives started the game strongly against their Northern League opponents, winning numerous set-pieces around the Shildon box. Despite Foster and Conor Washington's hard-work they could not create a clear-cut chance aside from Will Fordham's header onto the roof of the net from a free-kick.

With a heavy Westwood Road pitch hampering both teams, flowing football was difficult, and it was a defensive mix-up that led to the opening goal after 57 minutes.

A loose ball in the box was not cleared effectively, and with defenders waiting for goalkeeper Rob Mackney to collect, Shildon's Samuel Garvie prodded home.

Ives stepped up the pressure thereafter, and co-managers Warren Everdell and Jez Hall switched the formation to match Shildon's 4-3-3. The move gave Saints more penetration up front, and a break down the left allowed Jamie Blackwell to find Foster to drive home from 12 yards.

The momentum seemed behind Ives as the teams entered extra-time, with Foster and substitute Declan Rogers both going close and Washington proving a constant threat, but Shildon provided reminders that they could be dangerous on the break.

A long ball into the heart of the Ives defence was scuffed clear and fell to Garvie, who sidestepped one man and lashed the ball past Mackney to put Shildon in the driving seat again.

Ives battled to get back on terms, but left themselves increasingly open at the back, and Shildon were able to add another goal when substitute Martin Houlahan burst through the back line and fired home to make the game safe.