WALLINGTON survived a last gasp penalty shout to extend their unbeaten run in the Northern Alliance Premier Division to five games.

The visitors’ hearts were in their mouths when Kris Willis brought down an opponent for struggling North Shields Athletic right at the death, but they were relieved when the man in the middle adjudged the foul to have occurred just outside of the area while many thought it was in the box.

It was a late scare among many for the Greens as they made hard work of claiming their ninth point from the 15 available from their past five league games, which has included three stalemates.

Long-serving midfielder Kyle Reardon proved the match winner as he netted for the second time in three weeks, sending home a superb drive with his trusted left foot with just over 10 minutes remaining.

His original corner was half cleared and laid back to him by Micky Angus, and Reardon curled the ball into the top corner from an angle to secure the slender 2-1 victory.

It looked like it was going to be a comfortable game for Wallington when they gained the upper hand on five minutes, Josh Laverick sending a fantastic volley into the top corner as he connected sweetly with Reardon’s corner kick.

Wallington were in control but seemed to take their foot off the gas, but were left wondering how they didn’t go into the break two goals to the good.

A cross from Angus was put on a plate for striker Simon Farrier but he somehow missed the open target with a header from close range.

Wallington again started the second half in the ascendancy but failed to take advantage of their possession, and were duly punished on the hour mark.

A Shields striker took on Laverick and Lewis Bateman and found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Aaron Carr, and he duly slotted the ball home for 1-1.

Half chances fell for Farrier and John Paxton, but it was Reardon who produced the killer touch in front of goal.

There was late drama when Willis upended his man, but the visitors were happy to bring home maximum points.