South Shields won't lose focus in promotion tussle

South Shields have spent the last three seasons in National League North [Getty Images]

South Shields will not lose focus from their own task according to manager Ian Watson as they try to pip Fylde to the National League North title.

The promotion spot has come down to the final game of the season with Fylde holding a two-point advantage over South Shields.

If the Lancashire club win at play-off chasing Merthyr Town on Saturday (12:30 BST), a place in the National League is theirs.

But if they lose or draw, Shields could pip them as long as they win at third-placed Kidderminster Harriers.

"As a fan you can start thinking about what happens if Fylde do this, and if we do this," Watson said to BBC Look North.

"But for me, that just takes my focus away from what is really important."

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/national-league-north/table

The South Tyneside club are aiming to reach the fifth-tier of English football for the first time in their history, but lost their one-point lead at the top in the penultimate game of the season last Saturday to fall two points behind.

They needed a 95th minute equaliser to scramble a point at home to Bedford Town, while Fylde coasted to a 4-0 success over Southport.

Their goal difference is now two better than South Shields and have scored nine more goals, so if they draw at Merthyr, the Mariners would need a three-goal margin of victory to achieve automatic promotion.

"You spin your head thinking about all the other outcomes," said Watson. "Ultimately, that is just stuff I can't control.

"All I can control is the energy we bring into training and making sure we're totally ready for Saturday."

If unsuccessful, Shields would drop into the six-team play-offs including the likes of FA Cup giantkillers Macclesfield with only one team being able to win promotion.

"There are a lot of variables, but the most important is we've just got to do our job," said top scorer Paul Blackett.