The game got underway at a rapid pace with Whitley pushing forward but the Mariners, backed by a large and vocal band of travelling supporters, battled for every ball and there were few scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes.

Eventually Whitley cut through the visitors' defence and Paul Robinson, starting his first game since recovering from injury, hit the post with a teasing cross from the right with Paul Chow only inches away from heading the ball home with keeper Andy Clark beaten.

Whitley kept up the pressure and after 26 minutes they were awarded a penalty when Clark brought down Kerr as both players raced for a high ball played into the penalty area by Chow.

Clark was shown a yellow card when many in the ground thought he should have been sent off, but the referee deemed that Clark was not the last man when he committed the foul and he was therefore reprieved.

The keeper then redeemed himself with an excellent diving save to deny Kerr from the penalty spot, recovering quickly enough to hold the ball at the second attempt as Kerr tried to net the rebound.

Shields looked a well organised side and were having their share of possession but failed to make an impression on the Bay defence and it was Whitley who continued to threaten, Livermore seeing a dangerous looking cross cut out by former Bay midfielder Lee O'Donovan at the expense of a corner.

The flag kick resulted in Leon Ryan out jumping the visiting defenders but he headed the ball over the bar.

After Robson's cross was put wide by Chow under pressure from a defender, Robinson's ball from the right was driven into the side netting by Chow.

South Shields, for all their endeavour, were restricted to long range shots that failed to trouble Terry Burke and half time arrived with the scores level despite Whitley's pressure.

Ten minutes after the break, Chow brought a great save from Clark, who palmed a goal bound shot over the bar. Brian Smith came forward from defence to try his luck but headed over from Damon Robson's cross.

Both sides made substitutions during the second half and it was Whitley's third sub, Mark Minto who finally broke the deadlock with 12 minutes remaining, when he received the ball from Craig McFarlane after good work by Ryan and slotted the ball home from six yards.

The Mariners, who had seemed content to settle for a point were now forced to attack and for the first time in the game Whitley were put under pressure.

However, apart from a shot that flew over the bar, the visitors did not pose a serious threat, seemingly lacking a cutting edge up front and Whitley deservedly held on for all three points and their first home win of the season.