North Shields goalkeeper David Lanning is earning quite a reputation after saving two penalty kicks in last week's crucial game against Harton and Westoe.

But it is not the first time he has twice thwarted the opposition from the spot. In addition, earlier this season he made critical save to help earn the Robins their place in the semi final of the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup.

The Shieldsmen made the worst possible start last Saturday conceding a penalty after just five minutes but Lanning came to the rescue brilliantly turning around the post Anthony Kent's kick.

North Shields rallied but after taking a two-goals lead, conceded a second penalty which was again entrusted to Kent but once more, Lanning saved his side.

"They were two outstanding saves and had the penalties gone in we could have struggled for the three points we desperately needed to keep our championship challenge on course," declared secretary David Thompson.

Earlier this season, Lanning saved Wolviston's fourth spot kick when the sides were involved in a penalty shoot-out in the Shipowners' Cup.

"We play the final at Ralph Gardner Park against Stokesley SC on Monday (kick-off noon) but had David not played so well in the quarter final, it could have been some other side going out on Monday," added Thompson.

Last season, Lanning saved a twice-taken penalty in the game with Stokesley SC. After collecting the first kick the referee ordered the penalty to be retaken and once again Lanning pushed the ball out.

"There's no doubt that David is doing particularly well with penalties. He has been in good form all season which is one of the reasons why we have the meanest defence in the league, having conceded only 19 goals in 25 games.

"That's an outstanding achievement by any standard and I know the defenders are over the moon to have David behind them," Thompson said.

It was way back in February 1995 when a North Shields goalkeeper saved two penalties in the same game. Then, David Hodgson performed the feat against Jarrow Roofing enabling his side to win by an only goal when he made his second

stop in injury time.

Meanwhile, Robins' skipper David Little celebrated scoring his 50th goal in his 236th appearance in the recent game with Birtley Town. "His scoring record is excellent for a defender and on more than one occasion his contribution has been a significant factor," added Thompson.

Last week's results: Wearside League: North Shields 3, Harton and Westoe 0; Whitehaven 1, Boldon CA 4; Wolviston 1, Windscale 1; Annfield Plain 0, Darlington RA 1; Gateshead Reserves 1, Cleadon SC 3; New Marske 1, Birtley Town 3; Ryhope CW v Stokesley SC, Jarrow v Washington Nissan UK, matches postponed grounds unfit.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Wearside League (2.30pm): Birtley Town v Cleadon SC, Ferryhill Athletic v New Marske, Ryhope CW v North Shields, Stokesley SC v Whitehaven, Washington Nissan UK v Boldon CA, Windscale v Jarrow, Harton and Westoe v Wolviston.

Next week's fixtures: Easter Monday: Sunderland Shipowners' Cup Final: North Shields v Stokesley SC (at Ralph Gardner Park, noon).

Wearside League (2.30pm): Cleadon SC v Windscale, New Marske v B. Castle Glaxo.

Wednesday, April 14: Wearside League: Boldon CA v Wolviston, Gateshead Res. v Barnard Castle Glaxo, New Marske v Darlington RA, Stokesley SC v Ferryhill Ath., Washington Nissan UK v Ryhope CW.

P W D L F A Pts

Birtley Town 29 20 6 3 91 59 66

North Shields 25 19 5 1 76 19 62

Cleadon 30 15 9 6 62 50 54

Stokesley 23 16 2 5 92 26 50

Boldon 29 13 8 8 70 57 47

Ryhope 29 12 9 8 55 58 45

Darlington RA 29 12 8 9 65 42 44

Gateshead Res 29 13 3 13 75 60 42

Wolviston 25 12 3 10 61 55 39

New Marske 24 11 6 7 45 41 39

Whitehaven 26 10 5 11 46 49 35

Jarrow 28 9 8 11 43 53 35

Harton & Westoe 27 8 8 11 39 42 32

Windscale 24 6 5 13 31 43 23

Annfield Plain 26 6 5 15 36 56 23

Barnard Castle 28 4 6 18 50 91 18

Ferryhill Athletic 28 3 3 22 36 95 12

Nissan UK 27 3 3 21 37 114 12