South Shields were knocked out of the FA Cup tonight after going down 3-0 to Newcastle Benfield at a wind battered Filtrona Park.

The Mariners were struggling against the wind in the first half and it was the visitors who were to open the scoring on 12 minutes when a cross from the right was headed home into the top corner by former Shields winger Chris Feasey.

And Benfield could have made it 2-0 soon after, but a superb save from Cunningham denied them the chance to double their lead.

And Cunningham was again to be the man to deny Benfield when he tipped a stinging 30 yard drive from Anthony over the bar.

Shields began to Create some chances of their own despite the difficult conditions, McAvoy having an attempt that was well saved by Grainger and Benjamin putting his shot onto the roof of the net.

But on the half hour, Benfield were to get their second goal when a cross by Patterson from the left found Hurst, who beat Cunningham from just outside the penalty area with a well taken shot.

Gary Steadmans side improved following the second goal with number 9 Alex Benjamin twice going close, only to be denied by Grainger in the visitors goal.

Benfield created the final chance of the first half with a curling shot from Fenwick from 20 yards that was again saved well by edit.clothing sponsored Man of the Match for Shields Jake Cunningham.

Shields, backed by the wind in the second half, started the brighter and on 49 minutes, a free kick taken by McAvoy was met by the head of Roseby, but the attempt was wide of Graingers goal.

It was then the turn of winger Yanis Galas, who attempted a long range curling effort that was again just wide of the goal. 

Benfield had one of their rare opportunities of the second half on 58 minutes when Kane was played in following a good through ball. He took a shot towards the near post but Cunningham saved well.

Summer signing Davey Southern was making his first appearance of the season for the Mariners after returning from injury, replacing McAvoy on 67 minutes and he was to make an immediate impact. Southern delivered a free kick from the right, which fell to Alex Benjamin in the box, but he blasted it over the bar from 6 yards.

Despite all the possession in the second half, it was to be the visitors who were to get the games third goal when a shot from 20 yards by Dodsworth beat Cunningham to ensure it would be Benfield who travelled to Bedlington Terriers on Saturday in the next round of the competition.

South Shields return to league duty on Saturday when they face Billingham Town at Filtrona Park, with a 3pm kick off.

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