Sunderland RCA conceded late on in defeat to AFC Newbiggin in a thrilling game at Meadow Park on Saturday.
Ethan Smith opened the scoring for the visitors on the half hour mark before Jackson Ward’s rebound from a penalty sent the sides into the break all square.
With just over 25 minutes remaining, Cameron Elliott put Newbiggin back ahead and RCA equalised once more through Kyle Harrison’s first for the club.
For a third and decisive time Newbiggin took the lead as Will Pritchard finished into the corner three minutes into stoppage time.
Mark Forrest made one enforced change from the 3-0 win at Billingham Town. The debuting David Hodgson replaced the injured Dom Moan following his arrival from Sunderland West End.
The Seasiders had the first opportunity of the match as Matthew Nelson’s free-kick was headed over by Smith on nine minutes.
Soon after it was RCA’s turn to have a chance from a set-piece. Archie Dodds’ corner was met by Simmi Tchounga whose header found the post. Ward followed up, but Ollie Hutchinson saved well.
Both sides went close through Taylor Richardson and Elliott respectively before the away side found the breakthrough.
An RCA throw in the corner broke loose and Smith let fly with a tremendous left-footed effort that moved plenty before finding the bottom corner.
Tchounga had another chance from a Dodds delivery, this time his header going just over.
In first-half stoppage time RCA were given the chance to equalise. Tafari Nicholas beat his man on the left before being hacked down. The referee pointed to the spot despite protests from several Newbiggin players claiming it was outside the area.
Ward stepped up and saw his effort saved by Hutchinson, but thankfully it sat up well for the forward to nod in on the rebound.
Shortly after the break Ward could’ve had another. Nicholas and Lewis Lukeman worked well on the left and the ball found Ward at the edge of the box, but his first-time strike flew over.
Newbiggin were back in front on 64 minutes after RCA failed to clear from a long throw. The ball was worked to Elliott who finished at the near post.
The introduction of Callum Guy and Harrison provided a much needed lift for the hosts, and the latter levelled the scores with 10 minutes remaining.
Alberto Dumba’s tenacious work on the right saw the ball find Guy on the edge, his initial effort was blocked into the path of Harrison who placed the ball beyond Hutchinson with conviction for his first goal in RCA colours.
Both sides pushed for a winner, neither satisfied with a point, but it was Newbiggin who found the winner deep in injury time.
A long ball forward was flicked on and Pritchard was in one-on-one. He made no mistake as the visiting bench joined him to celebrate.
A tough one to take for the lads who will look to bounce back with an Ernest Armstrong 2nd Division Cup tie at Jarrow on Wednesday 25th February.
Sunderland RCA: Dryden, Thompson, Nicholas, Patterson, Charlton, Tchounga (Dumba 75), Dodds, Hodgson (Guy 68), Ward (Pye 76), Lukeman (Richards 59), Richardson (Harrison 69).
AFC Newbiggin: Huddlestone, Middleton, Scott (Douglas 74), Livingstone, Balmbra (Bell 77), Hills, Elliott, Turnbull (Pritchard 66), Smith, Cooper (Adaowa 72), Nelson.
Attendance: 115