WITTON Albion fell to a slender defeat at the start of a new campaign after Carl Finnigan’s late header secured victory for South Shields.

It was the striker’s second goal, and settled the outcome of a testy opening-day encounter.

Indeed, debutant Billy Smart was sent off by referee Stephen Dial in added time after tangling with the Mariners’ match-winner.

Carl Macauley named three other new recruits – goalkeeper Greg Hall and defensive duo James Yates and Josh Wardle – in a starting line-up designed to frustrate the title-favourites.

For the most part, it worked.

They survived a scare when River Humphreys’ back-pass was pounced upon by Josh Gillies, but he failed to hit the target.

Hall was called on to make a save after quarter of an hour, and sustained an injury flinging himself in the way of Finnigan’s effort from close-range.

Witton’s first forward foray ended with James Foley’s low strike flashing wide of an upright before Hall again dived bravely at Finnigan’s feet after Craig Baxter crossed from the right.

Northwich Guardian:

Striker Will Jones holds off a challenge from an opponent during Witton Albion's visit to South Shields on the Northern Premier League season's opening day

Blair Adams’ attempt was too high before Finnigan scored in the seconds before the break after redirecting captain Robert Briggs’ centre.

Albion drew level three minutes into the second-half after Foley, running onto Will Jones’ pass, went to ground after contact with goalkeeper Liam Connell.

He converted the resulting spot-kick.

The visitors ought to have taken the lead shortly afterwards after Foley and Yates combined to tee up Tom Owens, making his 100th appearance in Witton’s colours, who failed to make a clean contact with only Connell to beat.

Shields broke through again with eight minutes left, Finnigan nodding in from close-range after Gillies picked him out.

Macauley’s men strived for another equaliser, and substitute Delial Brewster’s effort was blocked by Adams.

Foley’s free-kick was deflected to safety before Rob Hopley narrowly failed to connect with the resulting corner.

The ball ran loose, and led to Smart’s altercation with Finnigan.

Shields | Connell (GK), Baxter, Adams, Turnbull (Mouanda 69), Morse, Brown, Wright, Briggs, Cogdon (Cowburn 85), Finnigan, Gillies Subs not used Hunter, Pearson, Scott Goals Finnigan 45, 82 Booked Connell (dissent), Adams, Morse (both fouls) Mouanda (ungentlemanly conduct)

Witton | Hall (GK), Yates, McKenna (Devine 69), Wardle, Humphreys (Wilson 77), Smart, Cesaire, Owens (Brewster 86), Hopley, Jones, Foley Subs not used Gardner, Noone Goal Foley 48 (penalty) Booked Foley (foul) Sent off Smart (violent conduct)

Referee Stephen Dial

Attendance 1,677

Additional reporting by Phil Chadwick