O’Reilly the hero as City end losing run in style

Durham City secured their 10th away win of the Second Division season in impressive fashion, 1-0 at Billingham Town on Saturday.

Town’s promotion push has hit the skids in recent weeks, but they remain a strong side, so victory was a big morale-booster for eighth-top City, who ended a sixmatch losing league run in style.

The Teessiders were reduced to 10 men for a last-man tackle by Jamie Davis, and City capitalised to go ahead five minutes before the break, courtesy of Daniel O’Reilly. With six games left, Town are now 10 points adrift of third-top Billingham Synthonia.

Easington Colliery finished comfortable 3-0 winners at home to Ryton & Crawcrook Albion, with Jack Pounder, David Paul and Michael Bulmer all on target.

Brandon United rose to seventh-bottom spot thank to a hard-earned 2-1 home victory over Hebburn Town.

Hebburn took the lead through Chris Feasey, but Ben Clarke equalised and Niall Fingleton bagged a 53rd-minute winner.

Willington were hammered 5-2 at home by Blyth Town and dropped to fourth-bottom place.

Two goals from Malcolm Morien, sandwiched by a Graham Stevenson equaliser, gave Blyth a 2-1 lead. Further strikes from Liam Gillesphey and Jack Errington extended Blyth’s lead to 4-1. Tom Lazenby pulled one back, but David Dormand completed the scoring

Crook Town slipped to second-bottom spot after a 3-1 defeat at home to on-song Heaton Stannington, who made it nine wins in a row as they climbed to fourth place.

Town did take the lead through Chris Emms, but goals from Lee Johnson, Joshua Holland and Daniel Robinson turned it around, to move Heaton eight points behind third-top Billingham Synthonia, with two matches in hand.

Bottom club Esh Winning held promotion hopefuls Synthonia to a goalless draw at home. The returning Macauley Langstaff went closest for the Synners, when his 31st-minute shot hit the bar.

Esh are two points behind Ryton & Crawcrook Albion and have played a game more.

Second-top Stockton Town secured a 3-0 win over Bedlington, with two-goal Kevin Hayes and Sonni Coleman notching.

Leaders Team Northumbria drew 2-2 at Northallerton Town.

Thornaby gave their survival hopes a boost, winning 1-0 at Tow Law Town thanks to a 20thminute Gary Mitchell penalty.

Darlington RA led through Alan Harrison against Alnwick Town, but Jake Lowes equalised.