Corinthians came back from two goals behind to beat last season’s Grand Slammers St George’s 4-3 in Sunday’s Eric Fletcher Charity Shield.

A Ciaran McNulty spot-kick, one of three penalties awarded by referee James Turpin, gave Geordies the advantage 17 minutes into the contest at the Bowl.

Calum Morrissey’s sumptuous volley doubled the reigning Premier League champions’ advantage barely three minutes later.

Ste Whitley’s neat finish after a Corinthians’ counter reduced the arrears just shy of the half-hour mark.

Chris Bass Sr’s men, however, restored their two-goal advantage on the stroke of half-time as Turpin awarded a second penalty for handball.

Corinthians keeper Adam Killey saved McNulty’s initial effort before scrambling in the loose ball.

With the second half barely a minute old, Corinthians hit the comeback trail when Turpin awarded a third penalty after Whitley was bundled over in the Saints’ box.

Skipper for the day Sean Doyle smashed home 12 yards to bring the score back to 2-3.

Corinthians then drew level four minutes later, Man of the Match Tom Callister tucking the ball away after being played in by targetman Doyle.

Geordies piled on the pressure in the final half an hour as they went in search of a winner. Morrissey and Sean Quaye both sent headers narrowly over before Jack McVey’s free-kick brought a smart, low save out of Killey.

It was Danny McMahon and Ben Qualtrough’s Ballafletcher side, however, that would land the game’s decisive blow in the 90th minute when Danny Simpson seized on some hesitancy in the St George’s defence before slotting the ball through keeper Andy Perry’s legs.

More in Tuesday’s Examiner.