North Shields manager Wilf Keilty could not hide his delight following his side's victory over Stokesley SC at the weekend.

The win moved the Robins into second position, just a point behind leaders Cleadon SC and with a much superior goals difference which could be crucial at the end of the season.

It was Stokesley's second successive defeat and, after leading the table, they have dropped back to fourth.

"Not many sides will win at Stokesley and from our point of view it was an excellent result," enthused North Shields secretary David Thompson.

"We got an early breakthrough and when we scored a second goal after 25 minutes, we never looked back. In fact, our back four are playing so well that I never thought we were in danger once we were two up."

There is no denying that the Robins boast one of the most experienced defences in the League and four players have chalked up no fewer than 629 appearances between them.

Skipper David Little leads the way with 213, Martin Lamb has played 193 times, Michael Kelly 132 and Paul Hogg 91.

"It's incredible really the number of games they have played and they just seem to go from strength to strength. We boast the meanest defence in the League and after ten games, we have conceded just nine goals which is a tremendous achievement.

"And we have not concentrated on defending since we are the second top scorers in the League with 30 goals," added Thompson.

Up front, leading scorer Eddie Miller was one of the marksmen against Stokesley and he is on his way to again being the club's top scorer. Last season he notched up 25 goals and to date totals nine, having found the net in every game he has started.

"We are playing well both in defence and attack and when you think that we have been without Anthony Robson for a number of games, the future looks bright especially as he will return for what could be a difficult game against Birtley Town next week."

Robson has been the Robins' Player of the Year four times in the last five seasons since moving to Ralph Gardner Park from Marske United.

"We are very happy with the start we have made and particularly at last week's result. Our aim is to finish in the top two and qualify for promotion to the Albany Northern League and our entire set-up is geared for a move up the ladder, "claimed Thompson.

New Marske, who were due to play at Cleadon SC, have a free day tomorrow and the re-arranged fixture list is: Barnard Castle Glaxo v Boldon CA, Cleadon SC v Gateshead Reserves, Darlington RA v Windscale, Harton and Westoe v Birtley Town, Jarrow v Stokesley SC, Washington Nissan UK v Annfield Plain, Whitehaven v Ferryhill Athletic, Wolviston v Ryhope CW.

North Shields travel to Humberside for an FA Vase tie with Hall Road Rangers.