Mariners put rivals Robins in flap at top with 29th win on trot
SOUTH Shields, with their 29th straight win, closed the gap on leaders North Shields to six points when they beat Bishop Auckland 1-0 at Mariners Park.
With the Robins drawing 1-1 at West Allotment Celtic on Friday, this was a very important win.
The crucial goal came after 63 minutes when a cross from Andrew Stephenson was bundled home by Michael Richardson.
South Shields play at North Shields this weekend.
Newcastle Benfield enjoyed a 2-1 win over Jarrow Roofing, who took the lead when Dan Kirkup’s brilliant 20-yard shot found the net – via the post.
Newcastle equalised after 70 minutes when Paul Brayson timed his run to perfection to beat the offside trap and rounded goalkeeper Lewis Brass to score his 50th goal of the season.
The winner came on 86 minutes when Dylan McEvoy scored from 20 yards.
Dunston UTS drew 2-2 at Ryhope CW. James Ellis put Ryhope ahead but Richard Slaughter equalised.
Lee Chapman put the home side in front again but Dale Burrell levelled things up.
Ashington won 4-1 at Seaham Red Star. The Colliers’ Ben Harmison scored at the back post but Red Star levelled when Luke Proctor smashed the ball home.
Dale Pearson put Ashington back in front and two minutes later it was 3-1 when Andrew Bulford fired the ball home. The final goal came in the 93rd minute when substitute Kyle Downey scored from the spot.
Whitley Bay beat Consett 2-1. Bay took the lead on 32 minutes when Thibault Charmey scored. Kyle Patton made it 2-0 after 69 minutes. Consett did reduce the deficit in the 73rd minute - but Whitley held on.
In Division Two, leaders Team Northumbria went down 4-3 at home to Darlington RA, a win which lifts them four places and two points clear of the drop. Ben Dibb-Fuller smashed a 30-yarder into the net after 15 minutes but RA hit back with three goals from Glen Donaldson, Daniel Flounders and Paul New.
Aidan Heywood reduced the deficit to 3-2 after 70 minutes but Isam Mohamad made it 4-2 with seven minutes left. Just a minute later it was 4-3 when Ross McKeown scored - but Darlington held on.
Heaton Stannington recorded their tenth win on the trot and moved into fourth with a 4-0 success at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion. Shane Jones gave them an early lead, followed by a Dan Robinson hat-trick.
Alnwick Town went down 3-1 at home to Billingham Town, Mark Dixon and Luke Hogan giving them a 2-0 lead before Sam Walton pulled one back. A Craig Hutchinson penalty sealed the win.
Whickham lost 2-1 at Easington Colliery. Michael Bulmer and Aaron Croft gave Easington a 2-0 lead.
Bulmer was sent off for dissent and Ross Nicholson pulled a goal back after 76 minutes - but Easington held on for the win.
Blyth Town drew 0-0 with Brandon United and Hebburn Town beat Crook Town 2-1. Bedlington Terriers beat Thornaby 3-0 following a Sam Norris hat-trick, on 11, 16 and 93 minutes.