Buxton faced South Shields in a tightly contested match, ultimately falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat, with Aiden Rutledge’s first-half header from a freekick proving to be the difference between the two sides.
The match began with Buxton making one change to their starting lineup, as Archie White stepped in at left-back for the injured Josh Williams. The visitors started brightly, creating several early opportunities. In the 4th minute, Djavan Pedro found Connor Kirby in space, but the midfielders shot sailed over the bar, missing an early chance to put Buxton ahead. Just minutes later, Liam Ravenhill delivered a dangerous cross, only for it to be blocked and collected by the South Shields keeper.
Buxton continued to push for an opener, with Sault dragging a shot wide in the 22nd minute after a good cross from Lusala. Pedro remained a constant threat and forced the South Shields keeper into a save in the 24th minute with a well-struck shot on the spin.
Despite Buxton's pressure, it was South Shields who broke the deadlock in the 45th minute. Colbey Shepherd won a free-kick on the left, and Robert Briggs delivered a cross into the box which Rutledge met with a powerful header, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead just before the halftime whistle.
Kyle Crossley had a chance to double the scoreline in the 54th minute, but his volley went just wide of the target.
In the 63rd minute White saw his effort from the edge of the box fly over the bar.
The hosts nearly added a second goal in the 67th minute when Jamie Bramwell's header from a Briggs free-kick was saved, and again in the 73rd minute when Jid Okeke’s cross was collected by True Grant in goal.
As the match neared its conclusion, Buxton came close to snatching a late equalizer. In the 87th minute, Kieran Burton displayed quick feet to get a cross into the box, which found Jack Stobbs. However, Stobbs' first-time effort went agonizingly wide, leaving Buxton to rue their missed chances.
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