Title still up for grabs as leaders slip

LEADERS Team Northumbria were held 2-2 at Northallerton Town.

Jack Proctor’s header but Town ahead but Andrei Ardelean equalised when his shot went in off the crossbar and Gerard Richardson fired Team North into the lead on 70 minutes. Just five minutes later Northallerton equalised through Nicky Martin’s penalty.

Stockton Town are now just three points behind the leaders with a game in hand after a comfortable 3-0 home win over Bedlington Terriers. Kevin Hayes opened the scoring on 16 minutes and Hayes scored his second on 48 minutes from close range. With three minutes remaining Sonni Coleman found the roof of the net to complete the win.

Billingham Synthonia were held to a 0-0 draw at bottom club Esh Winning. The best chance fell to Macauley Longstaff but his shot from 30 yards hit the bar.

Heaton Stannington have now won nine games in a row and are now fourth in the league after beating Crook Town 3-1. They went behind to a Chris Emms strike but bagged three goals in six minutes from Lee Johnson, Joshua Holland and Daniel Robinson.

Billingham Town went down 1-0 at home to Durham City. Town were down to ten men in the 26th minute when Jamie Davis was sent off for a professional foul. The winning goal came in the 40th minute through Daniel O’Riley.

Easington Colliery beat relegation threatened Ryton and Crawcrook Albion 3-0 thanks to goals from Jack Pounder, David Paul and Michael Bulmer.

Willington are now just a point above the relegation zone after going down 5-2 at home to Blyth Town. Malcolm Morien (2), Liam Gilhesphey, Jack Errington and David Dormand cancelled out Graham Stevenson and Tom Lazenby goals.

Brandon United eased their relegation worries with a narrow 2-1 win at home to Hebburn Town. Town took a 22nd-minute lead through Chris Feasey but Ben Clarke equalised and the crucial winner came when Niall Fingleton scored a header.

Darlington RA are third bottom. They drew with Alnwick 1-1 after Alan Harrison’s long range shot was levelled by Jake Lowes.

Thornaby gave themselves a major boost by winning 1-0 at Tow Law Town. The crucial goal came on 20 minutes when Gary Mitchell scored from the penalty spot.