UNDER normal circumstances, a point at Mariners Park should never be sniffed at.

Yellows certainly would have taken a draw before kick off, but they leave Tyneside wondering what might have been.

Nathan Lowe’s red card on the stroke of half time put a completely different slant on proceedings.

A usually imperious side had been made vulnerable. It was a huge chance and Yellows did not take it.

> VIDEO 'A massive opportunity missed' for Yellows

The final ball often let them down and having drawn several good saves from home stopper Myles Boney in the first half, they failed to test him when at a perceived advantage.

They let the hosts off the hook way too easily and Shields – boosted by the energy provided by their substitutes – almost took advantage.

Indeed, Town were a wonderful Tony McMillan save from Jason Gilchrist away from returning home with nothing.

The red card seemed to disadvantage them more than the hosts as before that, they were executing their plan well.

As they often do, South Shields dominated possession but Yellows’ disciplined shape meant they did little with it.

At the other end, Boney was the busier keeper so when he was beaten, it hardly came as a surprise.

It may not have been pretty, but Ben Garrity’s goal gave Town something to hold onto.

Not for long as Robert Briggs exquisitely curled the hosts level after Yellows wasted several chances to clear.

Referee John Mulligan’s decision to dismiss Lowe for a studs-up challenge on Mitch Duggan was instant, but it was the hosts who adjusted the better.

Still, Yellows remain unbeaten away from home and South Shields continue to find them somewhat of an immovable object.

Duggan – moved into the centre of midfield to cover the absence of the ill Steve Jennings – broke up play excellently while Tyrone Duffus was composed on his full debut at right back.

One cannot help but wonder what would have happened if they had put their foot down a little more in that second 45, however.

South Shields will rarely be more exposed at home, but the bottom line is Town were not ruthless enough.