Saints suffered one of those nights as a Warrington side devoid of attacking intent held out for a point under relentless pressure from Gavin Cowan’s side who could not find the break-through moment.

“The players were incredible again tonight and I can’t ask any more of them,” Cowan said. “We had chance after chance and penalty entry after penalty entry, total domination against a team that came to stop us. The attitude and application of the lads cannot be faulted especially after what was a massive effort on Saturday and going to extra time. It is frustrating and leaves a bitter taste but the positives are that it was an incredible performance.”

After a slow start Saints were soon creating scoring chances with Danny Newton heading over from Matt Lowe’s fine cross, another Newton effort cleared off the line and Zak Lilly going close from a corner before the break.
The second half became a siege with the visitors sitting deep as Saints attacked time and again on both flanks. Lowe went close within minutes of the re-start, Newton’s smart turn and shot was again cleared off the line with the goalkeeper Dan Atherton beaten and appeals for a penalty as Atherton hauled down Morgan Roberts were waved away as Roberts himself was bizarrely penalised.
A frustrating night reached a crescendo in eight minutes of added time as Saints launched attack after attack but could find no way through on a night where elsewhere the top three sides all lost.

“The players put in an incredible performance tonight of energy, high speed running, distances and commitment,” Cowan continued. “They are part-time players who work it like they are full-time in the way they recover and prepare. We have injuries but that is part of the game and why we have a squad so others can come in and if they perform like they did tonight they will keep their place.”

Brackley Town: Maxted, Craig, Lilly, Lyttle, Carline, Lowe, Bates (Cross 70), Roberts, Byrne, Hall (Abbey 90+2), Newton. Subs unused: O’Sullivan, Worby, Ryley.

South Shields: Atherton, White (Bennett 70), Gumbs, Woods, McDonald, Rodwell-Grant (Amis 64), Halford (O’Neil 76), Douglas, Miles (Amaral 90+4), Southern, Clarke. Subs unused: Roper.

Referee: Harry Warner Assistants: Minesh Gupta and Joshua Williams 4th official: Brandon Scaife
Attendance: 525

PIC by Pete Keen.