Northern League Division Two
Durham City manager Wayne Gredziak believes a lack of confidence played a part in his side’s 3-1 defeat at Washington.
The Mechanics took complete control of the game and two goals from Kris Goss and one from Chris Pattison gave them a three-goal lead as they game headed into the last 20 minutes.
Joe Bates pulled one back for the Citizens, but that was as good as it got for the visitors as they slumped to the bottom of the table.
Gredziak said “In the first half I thought we matched Washington and I have to say I felt a little disappointed that we didn’t get an early penalty.
“But when you are down there, things don’t go your way and on the stroke of half time a lucky goal put paid to all of our hard work.
“But overall, if I am being honest, Washington probably deserved the win for how poor our second- half performance was but I believe confidence has played a major factor.”
Washington manager Jason Jones believes that the win shows that his side are starting to believe in themselves.
“It wasn’t the best performance but sometimes you have to win ugly,” explained the Mechanics boss.
“It was a win that we ground it out and it’s something we need to do.
“The squad just needs to settle down, get some stability and we are getting that now.
“I am enjoying it, the lads have to realise how good they can be and we are starting to believe in ourselves.”
Saturday was a good day for the Billingham clubs as both Town and Synthonia took maximum points from away games.
Billingham Town are sat at the top of the table after goals from Joe Hillerby, Craig Hutchinson and Ash Lavan helped them to a 3-0 win at Crook Town. And Billingham Synthonia also sealed three points on the road as they claimed a late win at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.
Defender Ben Pollock got the only goal of the game on 84 minutes and that was enough to help his side move up to 13th place.
Chester-le-Street Town and Thornaby remained in close contention at the top of the table, despite being held to draws.
The Cestrians looked set to take all three points at Easington Colliery after goals from Craig Marron and Cameron Nichol helped them put Liam Cooke’s early goal behind them.
But a Liam Adamson goal 20 minutes from time helped the Colliers take a hardearned point.
Thornaby wasted a twogoal advantage as they were held at home by Tow Law Town.
Brandon United moved off the bottom of the table with a draw at home to Jarrow FC, although it could have been better for United after Luke Collins late equaliser cancelled out Jack Carr’s opener.
McCorie Carmichael and Adam Preston were on the scoresheet as Redcar Athletic secured a 2-1 win at Esh Winning.
John Sherlock’s injurytime equaliser denied Birtley Town from taking all three points at Bedlington Terriers as the two sides shared four goals at Welfare Park.