Spot-kick agony as Easington miss out in Synners crunch
Easington Colliery are far from out of the Second Division promotion race.
But Paul Frame and Craig Parkinson’s men suffered a big blow in losing Saturday’s thrilling battle at home to third-top Billingham Synthonia.
Aidan Goodey and Jack Pounder both rattled the woodwork for Easington before Synners took the lead after 14 minutes when Macauley Langstaff scored from an acute angle after being set up by Nathan Mulligan.
Former Spennymoor midfielder Anthony Peacock fired home from the edge of the box to double the visitors’ advantage, but Reece Kenney reduced the deficit on 31 minutes, when he thumped home a low, 25-yard free-kick.
Luke Page, who had claims for a penalty waved away, scored a stunning goal to haul Easington level three minutes before half-time, when he found the top corner of the net with a 20-yarder after a corner was only half-cleared.
It was nip and tuck in the second half, but Synners grabbed the goal which proved to be the winner in the 58th minute.
In the second half, Synners took the three points when they were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute, following a foul on Chay Liddle, and Mulligan duly obliged from the resulting spot-kick.
Easington dropped to seventh place but fell six points behind Synners, in the third promotion spot.
Durham City dropped to fifth place after a surprise 2-1 defeat at lowly Willington.
City scored first, on the stroke of half-time, when Bradley Hird netted from close range. But Lewis Milner’s header levelled matters on 52 minutes and Daniel Kent’s first goal for the Hall Lane outfit sealed Willington’s precious win with a 66th minute penalty, enhancing their survival hopes.
Tow Law Town produced an even bigger shock, defeating second-top Team Northumbria 2-0.
Adam Nicholls’ 10thminute opener and a Dean Thexton strike on 25 minutes did the damage, lifting the Lawyers to 11th place.
Crook Town climbed out of the bottom three, with a much-needed 3-0 home win over Thornaby.
A fine second-half display sealed the win for Wilf Constantine’s side, with Callum Johnson’s 51st minute opener followed by Peter Brown (78) and a last-minute effort from Christian Holliday.
Brandon United eased their relegation fears with a fine 3-0 win over Bedlington. Dan Quine (50) and Shane Todd (62) had them on top before James Moore killed off Terriers in the final minute.
Billingham Town, in fourth, won 3-2 at Hebburn Town. Chris Dickinson (2) and Craig Hutchinson had the visitors three up in 36 minutes.
Hebburn improved but only managed replies from Chris Feasey and Chris Smith.
In the First Division title race, South Shields won 7-0 at neighbours Jarrow Roofing to maintain the pressure on leaders North Shields.
David Foley and Dillon Morse gave the Mariners a 2-0 lead in six minutes.
On-form Foley went on to complete a tremendous hattrick, with Gavin Cogdon adding a double before Morse’s second, from the edge of the box, completed the scoring.
North Shields had to come from behind to win 3-1 at spirited West Auckland.
Ibby Hassan pounced on a rebound and smashed West in front, in the first minute of the second half, but the Robins levelled on 53 minutes, when defender Grant Hickman put through his own goal when trying to deal with a good cross from Dean Holmes.
Four minutes later, Lee Mason cut in and fired a 15-yard shot in off the bar to put Shields ahead. Craig McFarlane capitalised on a poor clearance to slam home a clinching third for the Robins.
Consett demolished lowly West Allotment 5-0 to stay fifth, with Luke Sullivan, Danny Craggs, Michael Sweet (2) and Lewis Teasdale on target.